If I already watch Game of Thrones and Outlander, do I really need The Bastard Executioner in my life?

If I already watch Game of Thrones and Outlander, do I really need The Bastard Executioner in my life?

That (two hour!!) premiere didn't convince me.

Yes, two hours. That, for starters, is a problem. Plenty of shows have hooked me with an epic pilot, but even with two hours, TBE didn't do that.

Beyond that, some random thoughts (and SPOILER ALERT!):

Would TBE have been more interesting without the origin story? What if it just started off in the middle and we had to fill in the blanks? Or would that have been too complicated with flashbacks and dream sequences?

Could the plot have been any more obvious? We knew the wife and unborn child would die and he'd seek vengeance, right? We've seen that over and over and over.

Speaking of, would it have been more interesting if she had gotten away, as you originally thought she would?

And even with the twist that she doesn't get away, isn't the person whom we're lead to believe killed her also a predictable plot twist?

Is it okay that for two whole hours I could not tell the difference between the Baron and that priest? Or the executioner and that soldier who let Wilkin's wife get away? Good thing one of each pair died in the finale to make things easier for me.

I like the saturated colors they use in the dream sequences, but that fade to black and white at each commercial break is a little too NCIS, no? And will be really annoying in binge watching.

Speaking of dream sequences, WTF was up with that dragon?

And speaking of the dragon, am I supposed to understand what his dragon tattoo means?

Did I miss how Bill Compton knows Wilkin? When did they meet?

Will I ever be able to see Bill Compton as any character other than that? And the same goes for Katey Sagal's Gemma.

And speaking of Sagal, let's just talk for a second about that Dracula-esque accent. Will I be able to not laugh / roll my eyes at that eventually?

Am I the only one wishing that Kurt Sutter's character wasn't (seemingly) so prominent in the story?

Was Ed Sheeran in the premiere?

Speaking of Ed.... the theme song and opening credits are nice, but maybe a little too much like SOA?



Despite all this, I'll watch for a little while longer. And probably develop a huge crush on Lee Jones.

ABC fall trailers

.... or at least the ones that intrigue me.

  Dr. Ken. Hoping this will be less obvious than the trailer. Mainly because I'm obsessed with that kid from Trophy Wife.

The Family. Quite a cast. Compelling trailer with family entanglement, political drama and a mystery, too. Will watch, if only for a season.


The Muppets. Easily the best/most anticipated trailer for this fall, or ever. Looks like the right kind of self-aware Muppets update.


Oil. Basically Dallas 3.0. And that voiceover... oof. But Kappie! And Chace! Likely to be my new guilty pleasure (since I refuse to watch any new Shonda series).


Uncle Buck. Love the movie, and this looks like a great update... with legs to go beyond the first ep. Let's hope it doesn't just recycle most of the movie's jokes.

Fox fall trailers

.... or at least the ones that intrigue me.

Grandfathered. Could be funny, could be terrible. Most likely an overdose of Stamos with this AND Fuller House. The occasionally guest starring role or yogurt commercial is fine, but this could be too much. I mostly just like in the trailer when he doesn't want the kid's sticky hands on his pants... because I do the same thing with my niece. Also, can we talk about how ADORBS that kid is?!


The Grinder. A lot of familiar faces in the premiere, and I know everyone has been dying for more Rob Lowe since his Parks & Rec exit. And I love seeing Fred Savage back on TV.

Minority Report. I've been hearing about this one for a bit, and was confused as to how they'd follow up the movie. But I think they do a good job of clearing that up in the beginning if the trailer, which is nice. At first, I was thinking, "Do we really need another crime show about a psychic or super smart guy predicting crimes and catching killers?" but it might be interesting to see a guy who keeps falling short. But can it go on week to week without being boring and repetitive? Eh.


Rosewood. But not related to PLL or Ravenswood in any way. Typical crime drama but actually looks kind of fun, like Hawaii Five-O. Plus, I have missed Miami since Dexter ended.

Cannot wait to watch Netflix's 'Bloodline'

Downton to end after next season

via TVLine: Downton's upcoming sixth season will be its last. 

I can't say I'm surprised, or unhappy, with this news. For a show that started as a single mini series to then blossom into a full, successful series, I'd say six seasons is quite enough. It's time.

I'll miss spending my winter Sunday evenings with Mary and friends, but excited to see them wrap this up. Hoping for less Bates and Anna (just run away to America with Tom!), more Mary and [insert love interest's name] sparring, and please, please no death for the Dowager.

Text on TV

Saw this a while ago, and obsessed with it. Find myself playing closer attention now t how text / phone / online  interactions are portrayed on TV. House of Cards, Broadchurch, Jane the Virgin and Babylon have all had interesting use of text.

Dexter's giant phone text will always be the worst.

Game of Thrones Season 5 Trailer

Post by Game of Thrones.

TBH I don't love this trailer. The music is almost U2-like.

On Callie and Arizona

Michael Ausiello's wish for Grey's Anatomy in 2015 is to "resist the urge" to reunite Calzona. I could not agree more. While it was happening, I was kind of annoyed. These two had been thru so much – the cheating, the baby, the leg – and it seemed like another wrench was unnecessary drama. (Yes, I understand what show I'm watching... unnecessary drama is kind of its thing.) But that episode chronicling their separation was heartbreaking to watch. And I can't imagine going back from there.

'Galavant' on ABC

Admittedly, super excited for Galavant to premiere on ABC. When it was announced earlier this year, I said:

This is being described as The Princess Bride with music. Which sounds AWESOME. Looks hilarious. Trailer reminds me of Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

But what is puzzling to me, is that in the latest promos I have been seeing on ABC, they tease it as a "4-week event." Soooooo is it a mini series? Or an actual, regular show?

I had never heard it plugged as a mini series (or, as they're calling them these days, a 'limited series,' or an 'event'), though I do think that makes more sense for this concept. Seems like, at the rate that TV shows are being cancelled, almost every series should be called a mini series. Sigh.

'Manhattan Love Story' lives on... On Hulu

I'm (one of the few, apparently) that is happy to see Manhattan Love Story's life extended a bit thanks to Hulu. The streaming service will house seven unaired episodes of the failed rom-com. (And Selfie too, but I don't really care about that.)

Most people hated the show, but I actually thought it was really cute. I didn't think the internal dialogue was overused – in fact, it reminds me of the narration on Jane The Virgin at times, which I think borrows from the same whimsical space as another cancelled rom-com that I liked, A to Z.

Anyway, I like Jake McDorman (Greek, Shameless) but do agree that this role was sort of boring for him. I mean, he was so, so great on Shameless... and this role just felt amateur compared to that. I get that it's a network rom-com vs a cable drama comedy, but still. Analeigh Tipton was... fine. I just watched Two Night Stand this past weekend, and she's basically playing the same character (annnnnd pretty similar storyline to episode 4's 'It's Complicated' sleepover....). I'd agree with most critics that said the best thing about her was her perfectly curled hair.

Looking forward the catching the rest of the episodes on Hulu... and waiting for McDorman's next. better role.

'Girls' Season 4 Promo

So excited for this next season, espeically Marnie "singing embarrasing songs in public places."

Alpha House S2 Trailer

Streaming on Amazon Oct 24!

'Tyrant' renewed

I'm actually surprised that Tyrant was renewed for a second season. Not to say I didn't like it – in fact, in the beginning of the season, I was saying it was my favorite summer show – it just felt like, by the end, it was dragging.

I think they got in a trap of trying to do too much, too quickly. The fact that the season started with Barry begrudgingly returning to his homeland, and then ended with him failing to stage a coup to take over? Sheesh. That's a lot of plot development in one season.

Maybe they would have been better served by making the finale the episode when Jamal kills the sheik. Slow down some of the story, give us more flashbacks, introduce us more to these rebels and their cause, let us get to know Barry's journalist friend a little more.

I'm looking forward to season 2, but I'm hoping it can hold my attention all the way through...

'Once Upon A Time' – Do Emma and Henry know 'Frozen'?

As if Once Upon A Time isn't complicated / unbelievable enough, next season they're introducing Frozen into Storybrooke. (No sense in even "spoiler alert-ing" that since it has been promoted the HECK out of ever since the finale last season.)

The overthinker in me – and I'm not the only one – was slightly confused by this and how they would present it. If you remember, Henry came to learn about Storybrooke's "history" via a book of fairy tales. Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and other classics. (Apparently, that includes Mulan....)

Now, Frozen is not a classic fairy tale (at least, as far as I know). In fact, it isn't even based on any kind of folklore or history of any kind, as say, Mulan or Sleeping Beauty is. CORRECTION – Nik let me know that it is based on The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. 

More than that though, Frozen was not even out in theaters when Henry, Emma and friends "remembered" who they were. Did they see the movie? I'd think no... unless they stopped by the movie theater one lazy Sunday afternoon between defeating evil witches and Peter Pan their grandpa.

Basically, do the people of Storybrooke even know who the Frozen princesses are?

This has been debated across the interwebs, and it would assume, of course that OUAT takes place in the present day. TV Line has an interview with showrunners about it, in which they confirm that no, Henry has not seen Frozen. By their calculations, the people of Storybrooke are somewhere in 2013 right now, pre-Frozen release.

But looking at these previews for the new season, it seems like Emma may recognize the sisters... or maybe it is just ABC toying with us as usual.


Speaking of new characters / princesses from recent Disney pictures, where the heck are Tiana and Prince Naveen? I understand that OUAT isn't keen on talking animals/objects – made that clear with the exclusion of Olaf in the upcoming season – but is Naveen's talking frog much different than Jiminy Cricket who has been featured at great lengths in both human and cricket form? We need some diversity in Storybrooke.

Where 'The Getaway' is going in Season 2

If you've talked to me about television, travel and/or Anthony Bourdain, it's more than likely that the show The Getaway has come up. It combines most of what I love – food, drink, travel and celebrities.  I'm sort of obsessed. In fact, I have the first season on my DVR and refuse to delete it in case one of my curious friends ever wants to watch it. (And if you're wondering – Joel McHale in Belfast is my favorite of the first season episodes, naturally.)

Anywho... the second season starts October 15th on Esquire Network and the lineup of celebs and locations is insane. EW announced: Chrissy Teigen in Bangkok, Adam Pally in Las Vegas, Jack McBrayer in Hawaii, Kyle MacLachlan in Napa, David Koechner in Dublin. Here's a sneak peek:
And just to give them a plug, I adore the Esquire Network. The design, the programming, the brand they've developed. Shows like Knife Fight, Best Bars in America, Brew Dogs are all in constant rotation on my DVR.

Careful how you binge.

Love this video, but sorry to say I'm not following their guidelines and killing approx. one season a week in my current Sons of Anarchy binge.

Pilot Review: 'Red Band Society' on Fox

After watching the pilot on demand, Red Band Society has definitely earned a spot on my DVR list this fall.

When I heard that Dave Annable and Octavia Spencers were the stars of this "young soap," I was skeptical. Is this about the kids or the adults? But after watching the pilot, I think the two are in the episode just enough. (Okay, lie. It needs more Annable, looking particularly salt-and-pepper sexy.)

In fact, Spencer may be my new uptight idol (Dr. Bailey on Grey's has gone to soft). At one point, she interrupts a eager nurse with, "Don't use 'like' like that." Preach, sister.

The cast of kids is great, too – and kudos for the choice to introduce the characters one at a time in the pilot. That could have been cheesy, but really worked with a large cast. There's some possible love triangles going on. Some father-son drama. And I'm particularly intrigued by Dash – bets on Spencer being his mom!?

That is what's most promising about this pilot – there are so many storytelling possibilities. Most pilots end with one cliffhanger, or introduce one big story. And this one planted seeds for many.

The Daily Beast compares RBS to Glee, which I actually think is a disservice. RBS is really more like Parenthood, in my opinion. Big cast. Mix of humor and heartbreak. I laughed. I cried.

Okay, I cried twice.

Pilot Review: 'Selfie' on ABC

Caught the pilot of ABC's Selfie on demand this week... and poor, poor John Cho.

First off, the lead is so unlikeable. I understand she is supposed to be narcissistic and social-media obsessed. But that doesn't mean she has to be... dumb. It feels like someone gave the Jack In The Box intern a half-hour show.

This is a girl that was the top sales rep for her her (clearly successful) company. Does she have to wear fur vests to work and use 'omg, lol, hashtag, whatev' in normal speech? Does she have to wear sunglasses on her head... while she is inside... at work?! (Sorry, pet peeve of mine...) I get it, she's very Cher. She's supposed to need a little self-improvement. And for a brief, brief moment, I liked her.

The moment in question was when she was texting all her friends when she was sick, musing that maybe she didn't have any 'real' friends. I feel ya, girlfran. That was deep. And depressing. And I wanted to give her a hug. But moments later, she was back to her annoying antics.

Second – and I love John Cho – but not like this. Cho's character just doesn't seem like a good fit. Maybe I'm too attached to the cool guy friend he's usually cast as. Maybe this is against type. Seeing him smile and let loose in the final scene was so refreshing because it finally felt like.... him. This buttoned up version is not the one I love.

And third... WTF is up with all the rhyming? I know it is based on My Fair Lady, known for it's 'the rain in Spain' or whatever rhyme, but still. Is that necessary? Is it going to continue? Please, say no.

Verdict is... I may hate-watch a few more episodes and wait for the cancellation.

Thoughts on the 'True Blood' Finale

There's a lot of people disappointed with the finale, ranking it among the worst in television history, but honestly – what did you expect? True Blood has been less than stellar the last few seasons. You really expected them to churn out some amazing final episodes after not being able to craft an amazing season-long arc the last 2-3 years?

Here's what I did expect – 

• Sookie crying. 
• Bill dying. 
• Some save-the-day scenario for Eric and Pam and the town (mostly Andy and Jason) to rally behind, giving Sam a reason to return, albeit temporarily.
• Sookie and Eric to "have a moment," even if it was in friendship (as Jessica and Jason had a few episodes ago), but not end up together. How meaningless would Bill's death be if Sookie ended up with a vampire anyway?
• Jason and Bridget. Hoyt and Jessica. Arlene and what's-his-name. Lafayette and Jessica's ex-boyfriend. 
• Some flashbacks to notable characters (for Sookie) like Gram, Tara, Alcide, her parents. (No flashbacks to Terry, his story has already ended)
• Some heart-to-hearts for Sookie and Bill, Sookie and Eric, Sookie and Jason and Sookie and Lafayette – arguably the main characters / relationships on the show. Arlene and Sookie already got a great scene together earlier this season. And Pam and Eric already had enough heart-to-hearts this year. I just want to see them have fun, kick ass, yell at people. 

Now, some of that happened. Some of it didn't. And to be fair, I did not hate everything in the finale.

The good stuff first –
I felt like Bill's death was rather well done. I held my breath when Sookie was finally able to listen to his thoughts (a sign of his humanity) and gasped when she broke the shovel in half to steak him. I do, however, think that story arc was kind of beat to death this season – by the time he refused Sarah's blood, I wasn't surprised. It was obvious he was ready for the true death and to let go of Sookie. I was kind of sick of hearing him explain it time and time again.

I do think this was a missed opportunity to have a sweet moment between Eric and Sookie. I wish he would have "felt" her pain and shown up to be by her side following the death of Bill. Not romantically, just to console her. After all, Bill was his longtime frenemy, too.

I also didn't hate Jessica and Hoyt's wedding. I think Andy's speech at the wedding, and the fact that it was attended by the core characters was really appropriate. But - where was Lafayette?! Wouldn't that have been an easy scene to add him in? More on that in a minute...

And now.... the bad. 

One of my biggest complaints about the season overall – not just the finale – was the focus on characters that I didn't care much about. Willa, Tara's mom and the pastor, these Japanese dudes, Jason's weird girlfriend, Andy's daughter, even Sarah Nelwin. I even got called out on Twitter by Lauren Bowles for not caring about Holly's fate earlier this season. But we only get like 13 hours with these characters – don't waste my time!

In this final episode, we had meaningless scenes dedicated to Sarah (don't get me wrong – I love Sarah and Steve.... but their story is over.), Sarah and Pam, mentions of Willa (who then reappeared in the final scene, where has she been?!), and even a heart-to-heart between Sookie and the pastor. That's right, a guy who had about 3 lines up until this season got an entire scene of screen time with our heroine. And you know who didn't have a single line in the whole episode? Fan favorite, Lafayette. Let that sink in? Lafayette did not have a single line in the finale... but the pastor did. Wtf. 

But mostly, it wasn't fun. In fact, it was downright depressingly normal. For a show that pushed some boundaries, dared to be unexpected and embrace differences... it ended like an episode of Duck Dynasty. Sure, I guess the Stackhouse table was lined with vampires, shifters, black, white, gay, straight... but didn't it all seem so conservative, traditional, normal?

This EW article sums it up perfectly,

... Something about the blandness of True Blood‘s finale felt almost offensive. Jessica and Hoyt got hitched, because it was Bill’s greatest wish to see his progeny married off? Bill just had to lecture Sookie about how having children makes life worth living? Sookie needed to chat with the Reverend about God’s plan? For a show that once skewered Ted Cruz and other self-proclaimed defenders of “family values,” this was pretty conservative stuff.... How did two of Bon Temps’ proudest outsiders end up wanting so badly to be “normal”? Since when did True Blood develop such a fixed definition of what “normal” is?

I mean, how awesome would it have been for Sam's kid to jump out of the car and turn into a puppy. You know, weird it up a bit?

So.... What do you think? Would you have preferred it without the various flashforwards? Did you want to see the face of the man Sookie ends up with?

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Season 2 Promo

I just want to hang out with all of them. Is that so much to ask?