TV Show Reviews: Summer 2017

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Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Master of None, Netflix, Orphan Black, reviews, Shameless, streaming TV, TV, TV Programs, TV reviews, TV Series, TV Shows

Hey everyone!

I hope you’re all enjoying the last days of summer! I certainly am, trying to enjoy the last bit of warm days as the cooler weather sets in.

I just want to make a note about a slight change to this blog. Earlier I said I would blog every Friday. Well, I’ve decided to instead blog every Monday due to my schedule. I do have a busy schedule, and I’m hoping Monday would be much easier for me to write on this blog. So let’s see…

Anyway, it is that time for me to review the TV shows I watched since the last TV review post. Like many, I prefer TV shows over movies, and I’ve been active on my TV viewing (or Netflix, or live streaming, whichever method). Here goes on my reviews…

WARNING: spoilers up ahead!

MASTER OF NONE:
I really did not like this second season. It started off being funny, but the part where Dev Shah started to fall in love with the engaged Francesca, I started to lose interest. That was the second time Dev got involved with a woman already taken (remember Claire Danes’ character in Season 1?), and I just felt uneasy with it. Yes, there was chemistry and love can be complicated. But, I just…I don’t know, felt uneasy. I kind of hope he and Francesca do stay together, but at same time I do not. Let’s see what Season 3 brings.

ORPHAN BLACK:

Image via Flickr via Creative Commons

The final season to one of the my favorite shows! Tatiana Maslany’s acting was great as always; it never fails here. I liked how there were flashbacks to when Allison and Helena learned they were clones. I’m glad Cosima and Delphine are still going strong. I also liked how at the end, they talked about the many clones all over the world, and the best part was the humbling of superbitch Rachel. The sad part was obviously when S was killed. I really like the actress, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and looking forward to see where she’ll pop up next. Heck, I’m ready to see where Tatiana will pop up next. This is not the last of her great acting. She’s got a lot to do in the future, and I’m looking forward.

HOUSE OF CARDS:

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Whoa, this show is something else.However, I felt this season, HoC got in over its head. There were too many deaths and “accidents” that can’t not be linked to Frank and Claire Underwood. Yes, it was obvious those characters would have met violent ends; that’s the way the show and the Underwoods’ work. But I felt this time it was overdone. And now the Underwoods are going to go against each other? Is Frank going to somehow kill Claire and make it look like an accident? Are these two going to kill each other in the end? Eh, it just seems like too much now. The psychopathy of the Underwoods just seems overdone. But that’s just me…

GAME OF THRONES:
What would a review post be without Game of Thrones? Like many, I obsessively watched and overanalyzed the show this season, and feeling devastated that it won’t be back until 2019 or so. But I’m glad Jon Snow’s parentage and real identity has been revealed in full, just as we take a look at the actors’ ass during an incestuous sex scene (sorry, I had to go there!). I’m also thrilled that Littlefinger has finally been killed off, by symbolically getting his throat slit. I, like many, got a little nervous with Sansa and Arya fighting. But I also read the many articles about those two, and was relieved to remember Arya had handed Sansa the dagger, and therefore was not going to kill her older sister. Whew!

But now there are only 7 episodes left for GoT. I can see the writers and producers cramming things into those episodes and not doing such a good job at it. I mean, I could see the final season for GoT be really rushed. If this past season was rushed, imagine what the next and final one would look like. But we’ve got a long wait…

SHAMELESS:

Image via Wikipedia

This is another show that I recently joined on the bandwagon. I binged on this Showtime show late last year, and this June, watched its seventh season on Netflix. I really like it, because the show is simply shameless. I mean, the characters have no shame! From Debbie raping a guy and then aimlessly getting pregnant, to Lip’s self-destructive ways, the characters live up to the show’s moniker. But it does it in a funny way! Like, there’s humor attached to the lousy behavior of everyone on the show. Amazing how that’s been worked out. I also like how the show brings to light bipolar disorder through Ian. Other programs, like Homeland and the movie Silver Lining Playbook, don’t treat bipolar disorder with much education and kindness. Shameless does, and I give it a lot of credit. I suspect next season will be the last, as it will be the eighth season. Looking forward to it!

 

 

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A Review of the Recent Seasons of My Favorite TV Shows

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Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, Salem, television, Telly Programs, The Americans, The Secret Circle, TV, TV Programs, TV Shows

Well, what a year it has been with some of my favorite TV shows! Like many, I’ve been watching Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, The Americans and House of Cards. I even binge-watched the second season of Salem. So, with the first half of the year over, allow me to review the shows I’ve watched during this time!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

GAME OF THRONES:
Wow, what a wild ride this season was! All the seasons of Game of Thrones is a wild ride, but this one had an obvious feminist take on it. All the major female characters took a major part in the game, and even became the actual game players. It was great to see Sansa Stark rise and become the smart woman she is now. And I am so glad she got her revenge on Ramsay Bolton! That smirk on her face was one for the ages.

The ending of the Season 6 was something else. I’m still so upset over Cersei using the weaponry on the High Sept, killing hundreds of people. That whole scene seemed over the top for me, and I’d like to know how Jaime is going to handle knowing his beloved sister did something he tried to stop so many years ago. I am also still sad Queen Margery is dead. As sneaky and untrustworthy she was, she was a smart woman who knew who to play the game. I was wondering how she was going to slither her way out of the High Sparrow’s grasp, but looks like we’ll never know. Sigh!

And what about Jon Snow?! Of course, everyone knew he was coming back from the dead. And I am so glad his true parentage has been revealed. That was a secret that couldn’t be kept quiet. And he’s King of the North now! We all know how that ended last time, but there’s no way Jon is going to die twice.

I am feeling bummed that the Season is over, and we all have to wait 10 months before Season 7 begins. But it is good to know that when it does, sh*t is really going to get real in Westeros!

THE AMERICANS:
What a great, underrated show. I don’t understand how it does not get Emmy or Golden Globe nominations. I know there’s a lot of great shows out there, but this one needs to be recognized.

What a great fourth season this show had! Last year, there was a huge cliffhanger where daughter Paige told her pastor that her parents were Russian spies. This season, we saw the intense consequences of that action, along the consequences of the other actions both Philip and Elizabeth do for the sake of making the world a better place. It was painful to see what they did to Martha, and Yung-Hee and her family. But it was interesting to see Elizabeth’s iciness begin to thaw, and to see her question – even just a little bit – whether all she was doing was worth it. That is something we have seen both characters do since the very first episode, and it is a question that keeps growing bigger for them, Philip especially.

But the question now is, how loyal will Paige remain to her parents? And when will the writers do something for Henry, who seems to just exist to make noise during intense scenes?

ORPHAN BLACK:
This show keeps getting better and better, and I don’t mean simply because of Tatiana Maslany’s acting. Although the latter continues to astound me, the storyline of this show keeps getting better.

Image via Flickr via Creative Commons

I liked how this season, we finally got a look at what drove Beth Childs to suicide, and it was great to see the Neolutionists play a role in this show again. Too bad, they are incredibly ruthless and scary. But looks like no one is as scary and ruthless as Rachel is, the evil clone. I doubt she’s going to last Season 5; Sarah seems to have good reason to knock her off. Better Rachel than the much loved Cosima!

One thing: is the show ever going to explain how Sarah’s daughter, Kira, was able to survive getting hit by a car in Season 1? I hope so because it is never good to leave a loophole that keeps viewers guessing.

HOUSE OF CARDS:
My god! If there was ever a character, or characters, to love to hate, it is Frank and Claire Underwood. To me, they represent all that is awful in the world – and it is addictive to watch them. Grrrr!

Image via Wikimedia Commons

I just want to know what will stop these two? What or who will stop them? Because it looks like nothing, not even each other. They play dirty, even though their world is a filthy one (politics, I mean). I guarantee in Season 5, more people are going to die because of them. By that, I mean, the New York governor running against Underwood in the election, or Claire’s new boyfriend. Hey, remember what happened to her last paramour?

The writing and dialogue on this show continues to be amazing, especially the last line of the season: “We don’t run from terror; we make the terror.”

SALEM:
I really liked the first season of this WGN show, so when Season 2 came to Netflix, I happily binged-watched. Unfortunately, it was a dissatisfying season.

It started off OK, but then the story line began taking too many odd turns. I also felt the acting was much weaker this season, and some actors might have been miscast in this show. For example, the guy who plays John Alden just doesn’t fit. He fits as a witch hunter, but not as a romantic hero. The final lines of the season, where he whispers, “I love you, I love you” over and over to a supposedly dying Mary Sibley, sounded awkward.

I also don’t like where this show is going. It was so sad to see Mary and John’s young son turn into a vessel for the devil, and the weird things this devil wants to do with Mary is really creepy. Also, I wish Anne Hale didn’t turn to the dark side, so to speak. I think it would’ve been better if she kept wrestling with her powers rather than quickly become an evil witch in her own way. It was too quick for me.

But I’ll give the third season a shot, in hopes that everything is turned around for the better. Right now, it seems like the writers don’t know what to do with the show. Let’s hope they fix what started off as a good show.

 

TV Shows! There’s Too Many of Them!

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Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Golden Age of TV, Master of None, Netflix, Netflix and Chill, Salem TV Series, streaming TV, television, The Man in the High Castle, TV, TV Shows

Hee-hee! I just had to say that!

But really, there are a lot of great TV shows out there and I’ve watched a few programs I hadn’t seen before in recent months. So, with my favorite shows not yet airing their latest seasons (Game of Thrones, House of Cards, The Americans, etc.), I’ve decided to dedicate this post to the other shows I’ve watched:

BREAKING BAD:
I finally jumped on the bandwagon and decided to see what was so awesome about this show. Early on, I could clearly see why. Excellent acting, great storyline, a lot of suspense and tension, plus amazing characters whether they were likable or not. Like many who watched this show before me, I became addicted to this show, though there were times when it got too much and I had to take a break from it. I have to admit Walter White’s arrogance started to get to me around the time he began working for Gus. It made sense why he became a meth cook, but his ruthlessness came to the surface early on, and sometimes I had to wait a few weeks to watch the show again. I knew he died at the end of the series, and I wanted to see how.

But boy, during the last season, I wanted to kill White myself. This guy became pure evil by then, and I found it intolerable. I’m still haunted by those episodes, two months after watching them. I guess a lot of people are, based on what others say when I bring up the show to them.

Overall, though, it was a great show. It really asked the question about what people would do in certain situations, and it captured the human reaction to difficult moments. Sure, there were some truly evil people on this show, but there were also truly human people here. Meaning, there was no right and wrong to what most of the characters did; they were just stuck in difficult situations and trying their best.

SALEM:
I only saw the first season of this (I believe) Canadian show on Netflix, but I am hooked! It’s a fictional take on the Salem witch trials – only this time, witchcraft is real here! And by witchcraft, I mean, satanic worship. This may offend some people who call themselves witches in the neo-pagan sense. I don’t know if the show got the two confused, but all I can say, it is an interesting take on the historical elements on this fascinating moment in American history.

The one thing that I didn’t like was the opening credits. Marilyn Manson sings the show’s theme song, and I feel his heavy rock sound does not mix well with this historical drama. I mean, the show is about the 1600s, and here’s this loud, rock music setting up the show. It just doesn’t fit to me.

But anyway, the show has good acting and a juicy storyline with a lot of twists and turns. The costumes are awesome too. There’s a few scenes that I couldn’t watch because they involved either too much blood or a large tarantula. But I am eager to see more episodes to a show I already consider one of my favorites.

MASTER OF NONE:
Another show I’m glad to say is one I will be looking forward to see in the future, mainly because this is a comedy. After finishing Breaking Bad on Netflix, I needed something lighthearted and funny, so I chose this. Thankfully, I did because I had a good laugh for its whole 10 episodes! I like how Aziz Ansari captures the confusion of trying to be an adult when you’re in your early 30s – living in New York, no less. It was also good to tackle the issue of racism towards Indians in Hollywood and elsewhere in America. This is definitely a show I’ll be looking forward to see more episodes from.

THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE:
I barely watched this show. OK, I saw three or four episodes. But I couldn’t continue. Not that its bad, because it isn’t. It asked its question of what would the world be like if the Nazis and the Japanese won WWII, which I am sure many people wonder. Well, the answer is, a lot of people are being ruthlessly killed. I mean, the Holocaust is still ongoing. It just got too depressing for me to continue watching. It is a good show with good acting and a fascinating plot. But the way life in America under the Nazis and the Japanese was too overwhelmingly sad for me. Maybe another time I’ll watch it, when I am ready to brace the depressing world, but not now.

Right now, I am watching Downton Abbey again. I stopped watching during Season 3 because I didn’t think I could handle all the character deaths. But after all the other shows I’ve been watching, I think I could handle it now 😉

 

The Latest on My TV Shows

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Game of Thrones, Once Upon A Time, Orphan Black, television, The Americans, TV, TV Shows

Ah, so many TV shows, so little time!

OK, I want to go over the shows I am watching now, and what I think of them now.

First off, Once Upon A Time. Yeah, that show. I swore I wouldn’t watch that anymore after a beloved character was unnecessarily killed off. But I came across a forum thread about it and read about a honest talk Regina and Snow White (I prefer calling her that over just plain Snow because it makes me think of a powdery substance some people stick up their noses). So I found that episode OnDemand and thought it was a fairly good episode. The whole Wicked Witch-Rumple storyline is silly, and I feel so sorry for Robert Carlyle. He’s a great talent, and that’s being mistreated on this program, which is a big train wreck now. And what is with Zelena’s hellbent determination to travel back in time? Yeah, she wants to correct what went wrong for her, but in regards to the grand scope of the whole show, its just…ugh, what’s going on here? On the plus side, that heart-to-heart talk between Regina and Snow White was a long time in the making, and I’m sure fans of the show have been aware of that. I’m glad those two had that chat. It was clear to me that Regina just wanted to make Snow White miserable and not really kill her. There needed to be some healing between those two, which is a happy ending in some ways.

The Americans keeps getting awesome. I’m more drawn to the storyline regarding Elizabeth and Philip, and their children, Paige and Henry. I like how Paige becoming a Christian is tormenting Philip’s conscience, yet I’m nervous how far Elizabeth would go to stop Paige from getting more involved in her church. The fact that those two willingly lie to their children about everything – who they are, where they came from, just everything to the core! – boggles me. What deceptive parents they are. They’re totally contradicting themselves by insisting they love and care for their children, yet they lie like hell to them. Holy crap. And how can they just stand there while Henry cried over his remorse for breaking into a neighbor’s house just to play video games, and not have that truly tear at their conscience? And I am, tear! Not the whole, whoa we aren’t good people either, but hey its for the Motherland! That’s not true remorse. Their kids are better than them, and while Philip is aware of that, Elizabeth is going to be more of problem with Paige. I’d like to see this play out, and I’m really looking forward to an episode when the kids find out who their parents really are. Ah, consequences!

Orphan Black is back, and it is so good so far! I always love it when two or more of the clones are in the same scene together. Just like in the first episode when Sarah and Cosima were skyping with Alison. That is such a treat for fans. And the twists and turns are so awesome. I have no idea where this show is going, especially with Helena actually being alive, but I’m looking forward to everything. Just one complaint: can they stop with the gay stereotypes when it comes with Felix? Yeah, some gay guys are like that, but not all. It’s annoying. At least he’s good comedy relief.

And then there’s Game of Thrones. I am so glad as everyone that King Joffrey is dead and gone. Woo-hoo! Ding dong, the a**hole is dead! But whoa, am I having a hard time dealing with the gratuitous nudity, sex and gore on this show. It’s always been part of Game of Thrones, but I’m tired of it. And I certainly am sick of the rape on this show. Yeah, this is a brutal world where women are not treated well, but come on, knock it off already! It’s almost like rape is being mocked here. Oh yeah, enough of the cannibalism. I like to snack while watching my shows, and nausea is not a good thing. Seriously, what is worse: rape or cannibalism? Both make me shudder, but there’s something more barbaric and frightening about cannibalism that makes it worse than rape. I mean, as a woman, rape terrifies me. But cannibalism strikes more fear in me than that. Hmm, sounds like another post for me?

Anyway, it looks like things are going to start really moving with the next episode. The White Walkers appear to be finally, well, walking. Jon Snow is ready to take action, and I’m glad Sansa’s story arc is about to take off too. I’ll be tuning again this Sunday!

 

Another Post About TV Shows…

Tags

Golden Globes, Once Upon A Time, Orphan Black, OUAT, Tatiana Maslany, The Americans, TV, TV Shows

Hi everyone. Sorry that I haven’t been posting much this month. The holidays are always crazy, and I’m sure many of you can relate. There’s the shopping, parties, checking out the holiday sights, and all the good stuff that take away from other things you have to do. But I’ll be back to my usual schedule in January. 🙂

So, this entry is just another one where I chat about TV shows. There’s so many great shows (or used to be great shows) on TV these days, so there’s no way I cannot discuss them. Plus, the Golden Globe nominations were announced so I need address that…

Image via Wikimedia Commons

…especially since I am so glad that Tatiana Maslany has been nominated for Best Actress in a Drama series for her amazing work on BBC America’s “Orphan Black”! I’m thrilled she got that recognition, especially after she was snubbed by the Emmys. Tatiana may not win because she’s not famous enough, and she is up against more well-known actresses like Juliana Margulies. But I’m just glad she’s been nominated.

So, I am still watching my favorite network TV show, “Once Upon A Time”. Unfortunately, I’m starting to wonder if it is slowly jumping the shark. I felt this season started out very well and I had high hopes that it would redeem itself after the it’s weak second season. But the episode that aired this past Sunday has me wondering if the writers have lost all direction. The show just doesn’t make anymore sense and this new twist in the show – with the curse being reversed, everyone going back to the Enchanted Forest, while Emma and Henry stay in our world with no memories of Storybrooke – is so mind boggling that I can’t make sense out of it. I feel like the writers have gotten themselves into a huge mess and are desperately trying to make sense of their initial concept, but they are not doing it well at all. I’ll be nervous when the show returns March 9th because this was a very good show, and it has sunk very quickly.

This is the problem with TV shows. The producers and writers come up with a good concept, but have no idea how to extend it for several seasons. Heck, some don’t know how to extend it for several episodes! I know its only a TV show, just enjoy it, but yikes!

Luckily, early next year another show of mine is coming back – “The Americans”! I initially watched it on FX because the actress, Keri Russell, was on the WB series, “Felicity” back when I was in high school and that was my favorite show back then. But “The Americans” is pretty good, and I’m looking forward to Season Two. Here’s an awesome promo:

Then comes “Vikings” on History, and not long afterward, “Game of Thrones”. Yes, can you believe I’m anxiously waiting for Season Four? Hey, that show is addictive!

 

TV Premiere Review: Dracula

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Dracula, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, NBC Dracula, TV, TV reviews, TV Shows

I’m sure some of you are aware that tonight was the premiere of the much anticipated program, “Dracula” on NBC. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, it is supposed to be a retelling of the Dracula tale, with some loyalty to Bram Stoker’s classic along with a new interpretation. I tuned in tonight, all giddy and excited. And also intrigued by how the blood and sex would be depicted because it is network TV.

Click for source of promo poster

Overall, I am curious about how this show will play out. I like how the show has the same story ideas like Mina Murray being Dracula’s reincarnated love, Dracula relocating to Victorian era London for business purposes, and so on. But there are some aspects I’m not too sure about, and may have to get used to.

This show has woven political statements against the oil industry into this show.  See, this Dracula is out for revenge on this ancient Order of the Dragon, which killed his beloved wife centuries earlier. This time, the Order has evolved into oil tycoons, and Dracula made his hitlist right after his coming out party in London.

NOTE: The Order of the Dragon is obviously a reference to the real Dracula, Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler. His father, Vlad II, was a member of the Order of the Dragon in the 15th century, with the goal of protecting Christianity in Eastern Europe. I wonder what the writers were thinking with making the Order about the oil tycoons and not Dracula himself.

The last ten minutes show Dracula is not operating alone. Van Helsing practically hired him to knock off his enemies as a sort of deal to bring a truce between their warring orders. I like the twist that Van Helsing supports Dracula. He practically hunted down Dracula’s grave, brought him back to life and brought him to London under the identity of American businessman Alexander Grayson. But I’m not sure if I like the idea of Dracula working for someone. I always saw him as his own person doing his own thing. So this is a new idea that I’m not so sure if I could like, but if it works it may be interesting!

What I am nervous about is what the promos show for the rest of the season. Why, oh why, did they make Dracula another whiny vampire who hates what he is? Come on, enough of that! Dracula always loved what he was and he had no regrets. I know regretful vampires are all the rave these days, but to do it to Dracula is, honestly, an abomination 😉

So Dracula is going to stalk Mina Murray until she falls in love with him…and who knows what will happen. The upper class businessmen will continue to look to destroy the man they know as Alexander Grayson. Also, there is a woman who appears to be part of a secret group of vampire hunters. We saw her practicing her fighting and sword skills before confronting a female vampire, who may have been created by Dracula. Looks like Dracula may be creating his legion of vampires, or there is another vampire around. The show hints Jack the Ripper was actually a vampire.

So, this is definitely a new version of Dracula. It does live up to the tagline, a legend is reborn. I get it that writers may want to experiment with a new take on a favorite horror character, but sometimes those experiment don’t always work out. That being said, I do think there is a chance this show may pull it off if done right. But don’t make Dracula a platform for rants against oil tycoons. Just make a good love story, intrigue and action, and I could be satisfied. Oh yeah, keep it up with the gorgeous period dresses!

And I was satisfied with other parts of this show. I found Jonathan Rhys Meyers delicious as always (yeah, my tweets make that obvious, lol). I was not bothered by his American accent. The network TV sex was hot, though I think I’ve been spoiled rotten by cable TV in that respect. And I do like the Dracula/Van Helsing twist. But the conspiracy aspect may just annoy me, and I hope it doesn’t ruin the show. But we shall see.

Until then, ladies and male-oriented men, here’s something to make you wild, from the first three minutes of the show!

 

Primetime Emmy Nominations 2013

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acting, actors, actresses, awards, Emmy, Emmy Awards, Emmys, Game of Thrones, Keri Russell, Lana Parrilla, Michelle Fairley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Orphan Black, Primetime Emmy Awards, Tatiana Maslany, television, TV, TV Shows

So the Primetime Emmy nominations will be announce this Thursday, and I have never been so anxious for award nominations since, like, never. As some of you may know, I watch too much TV, mainly because there are so many great shows on now. I’ve heard some say this is the golden age of television, and it just might be. Programs on network TV, basic cable and premium cable are top notch in terms of production, acting and storyline. Like many, I am really hoping that my favorite actors are nominated this year, and I’ll be biting my nails Thursday morning.

Hopeful as I am to see my favorite actors get at least a nomination, I’ve come to realize that there’s a great chance that most of them will not be named Thursday in the acting categories. When I saw this TV.com article, I came to terms that there are far too many TV shows with great acting to fit into small award categories. That article points out that as many as 40 actors or more can be considered worthy of a nomination, but there are only five spots per category. Oh, what agony it must be to sort out all those performances!

I wish the Emmys will do what the Oscars did for the Best Motion Picture – instead of five nominations, make room for ten. This way the recognition expands, because there are some who just need to be acknowledged.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

The one actress I have in mind to at least – at least! – be nominated, is Tatiana Maslany from the BBC America series Orphan Black. Wow, what a talent! When I first started watching the show, I was only interested in seeing how a science fiction thriller on human cloning and bio-ethics would play out. But as the show went on, I was floored by Maslany’s ability to play a total of seven different characters. All the clones are portrayed by her uniquely, right down to their hand gestures. Even those who only appeared for a few seconds before dying were uniquely done. There were times when I was watching scenes that had either two or three of the clones in them, that I felt the need to remind myself that I was watching one actress, instead of two or three.

So I am truly hoping Maslany gets a least a nomination. I’d love to see her win because of her achievement, but that may not happen. Sure, she’s won a few small critics’ awards, but she’s basically a newcomer on a less-known show on a station that doesn’t get as much attention as the other channels. Unfortunate, but that is how awards work. But honestly, if she does not get nominated, I will write hate mail to everyone in Hollywood! (I’m joking. Really.)

I’ve heard Michelle Fairley, who played Catelyn Stark on Game of Thrones may be recognized for how she chillingly portrayed Catelyn in that infamous episode. That was great acting, and I agree with many how well she embodied the character had losing all hope and will during her last moments. It’s true, and if she’s nominated, she may win because that episode was very controversial, and such attention can garner an award.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

I would like to see Lana Parrilla from Once Upon A Time finally get a nomination. Not only does she appear to have so much fun playing the evil Queen Regina, but when she plays Regina as a young, kinder woman, we see Parrilla’s full acting range. We also saw last season how Regina struggled to be good while having so much vengeance and anger in her. That’s always worth noting.

I expect Keri Russell to be nominated for The Americans. She won a Golden Globe for Felicity and got an Emmy nod for that, so maybe her reputation could bring her a nomination for this role. Plus, she’s playing a cold, calculating spy dealing with loving her spy partner and choosing between being a mother, and defending the Motherland. But who knows?

As for the male actors, I heard Nikolai Coster-Waldau may be considered for his role as Jamie Lannister on Game of Thrones. That scene where he told the real story on how he slayed the Mad King, and reclaimed himself as Jamie, was powerful and marked a turning point for the character. Before, he was an arrogant, impulsive guy, but after losing his hand, he became more humble, and even broken inside. I’d like to see him be nominated. Peter Dinklage, who plays the well loved Tyrion Lannister, could be nominated again. He won in 2011, and was nominated last year. Hmm, two Lannisters up for an award? I’d like to see that. One Lannister who may not be recognized, was Charles Dance who played the patriarch Tywin Lannister. I’d be surprised if he gets a nod, because he doesn’t have much clout. But I loved his scenes. Tywin Lannister is nasty man who will never get the Father of the Year award, but Dance made his scenes so captivating, I found myself actually liking Tywin’s scenes – but I swear, it was for the actor and not the character!

So, the competition is so fierce and the space is so tight. I may not see anyone I’ve mentioned have their name called out Thursday, but I have to accept that because there are so many great performances on TV now. Maybe the Golden Globes next year will make up for any of my disappoints. Especially if Tatiana Maslany does not get a nomination. I know I will be fuming. There are reasons not to nominate her, but uhm, the award is for acting – not fame, right? Right?!

Maybe True Blood Season 6 Will Be Good

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HBO, True Blood, TV, TV Shows, tv trailers

The second trailer for the HBO series, True Blood came out this week – and I must confess, it makes me want to tune in June 16th, 9pm on the dot.

But let’s remember that last year was not very good – in fact it was lousy. Remember my rant last year? There may be more of that lousiness for Season 6. But what intrigues me is that this could be the final season – based on what the trailer implies – and I always thought the finale will be the final showdown between humans and vampires, plus everyone else. Too bad the events shown in Season 5 that lead up to this showdown were bizarre. Having a vampire religion and a holy book was odd to me, though I guess it was to show how religious fundamentalists cause a lot of problems in this world. But it could’ve been done differently, I believe.

I hope the humor returns this season. One reason why I love this show is because of the great one-liners and the way True Blood practically makes fun of itself (my all time favorite was when Eric called Sookie “Snooki” – that was bound to happen, and it was great when it did!). But Season 5 was very dry and dull, so the humor needs to return or else this season will be just as poor.

It would be great to see Jessica evolve more as a vampire. Even though she’s a secondary character, her maturity from baby vampire to a kick-ass one has been great to watch. I’m sure she’ll be doing a lot to save the vampires, or try to, depending on what happens this time.

Pam and Tara’s relationship is another thing to watch. So is Jason, one of my favorite characters. He’s an airhead like his sister, but it makes him adorable somehow. I also hope Sookie has more of a storyline this time because last season she seemed to be just there, and it was more about Bill’s decent into insanity. Oh, and based on that trailer, I really would like to see if he really does come out of his madness and realizes what he’s done. He probably does because he and Jessica are holding each other for dear life in the trailer.

I do think this may be the final season, even though it hasn’t been announced at all. It should be if it is. If it isn’t, I would really like to see how Season 7 goes after all this chaos. There’s too much going on for this not to be the last season, but since there’s no official word – just speculation – maybe there’s more ahead. Which wouldn’t be a good idea to me.

In the meantime, Season 6 better be good!

I Watch Too Much TV

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Game of Thrones, Once Upon A Time, television, The Americans, TV, TV Shows

I know some say this is the Golden Age of TV, but damn, I have been watching TV a lot lately. Not even three years ago, I hardly ever looked at that thing – with the exception of CNN or NatGeo. I did used to watch “America’s Next Top Model” religiously – but luckily I grew up and a got a life.

But these days…damn! Sunday nights are quite busy for me now. First off, I have “Once Upon A Time” and then I have “Girls” right after. On Wednesdays, I watch “The Americans” on FX. I also catch up on “The Daily Show” OnDemand. These days, though, I have to balance between “Once Upon A Time” and that History miniseries, “The Bible”. Right after comes the new show on the same channel, “The Vikings”. I’ll be watching that OnDemand.

But! In a few weeks, I’ll be hyperventilating as I get ready for the season premiere of “Game of Thrones”. I discovered the series late last May after hearing so much buzz about it, and now I am so addicted to the program. I am starting to do a recap by watching both seasons OnDemand to gear up for Season 3 on March 31st!

That could brighten up my Sundays. I hate to say this, but I’m starting to lose interest in “Once Upon A Time”. This past Sunday’s episode is starting my long awaited decline. I guess I’m overly optimistic about my shows even when they’re sinking fast. But I’m beginning to lose faith in this program. Far too many crumbling relationships, confusing storylines, and characters not making sense anymore. It is not as exciting as it used to be. With this past episode, I am disappointed that Snow White/Mary Margaret will go over to the dark side, even though her getting nasty was bound to happen. But did she really have to go from being so good to be hell-bent on wanting to commit murder? And Cora is too evil to be believable. While I knew she was responsible of the death of Snow White’s mother, her killing Johanna was too much. She’s now a caricature of evil, which means it is overdone. And what is with Regina? The show’s writers clearly don’t know whether to make her try to be good or be pure evil. Her character is really all over the place this season.

Anyway, I’m disappointed. But then again, when “Once Upon A Time” first started, I thought it should’ve been a miniseries or a movie. To make it a series to last several season is make confusing, endless storylines that will mess up the story – and sure enough, it is.

On FX, “The Americans” is amazing. It is deep and really makes me think. As I watch Philip and Elizabeth Jenkins live their average American lives while being undercover KGB agents, I find it hard to fathom how they could literally lie to their own children as they are. Sure, spies have done that for decades – and still do it to this day all over the world. But wow, it really boggles my mind that anyone would have such commitment to their cause or government, that they would deceive their own flesh and blood.

But I also worry that this is another show that should’ve been a movie or miniseries. Hopefully, it doesn’t self-destruct like “Once Upon A Time” is or like “True Blood” did last year. I likely will not watch Season 6 this year, as I am still annoyed that the show was ruined itself, as displayed here in this post I wrote right after the season finale.

However, I’ve got “Game of Thrones” to look forward to! This better be awesome! I hope George R.R. Martin finishes the last book in time, and I also hope HBO keeps its budget for the next several seasons. They had a problem with their series a few years ago called “Rome” which only lasted two seasons because they basically couldn’t afford to produce it anymore. But I have faith “Game of Thrones” will survive.

But yeah, I do watch too much TV. For someone trying to shed some pounds, this is absurd 🙂

TV Shows I’ll Be Watching, Books I’m Reading…

Tags

666 Park Avenue, BBC, Copper, Downtown Abbey, entertainment, Once Upon A Time, season premieres, TV, TV Shows

It’s the fall season, and do you know what that means?

The premiere of the network TV shows! Now, some have already debuted their new seasons, but the shows on ABC are going to be premiering their seasons tonight – and I’m one of the many who is excited!

The show I am anxious to see is Once Upon A Time. I gave that a show a try last year when it premiered, not really sure if I would like it. But within an episode or two, I was hooked! The clever writing, the twist and turns of the plot, and the evil Queen Regina had me glued to my TV set nearly every Sunday. The season finale back in May was unexpected, with the curse being broken but no one going back to their original world, and Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin unleashing magic, much to Regina’s all so greedy desire to fight back. I am expecting this season premiere to be as amazing as Once Upon A Time always is!

I may give 666 Park Avenue a try. It looks intriguing, though I don’t think it will hold my interest. Heck, I said the same thing about Once Upon A Time and now look at me. I’ll let you know what I think…

In case you are wondering what other TV shows I watch, I tune in to watch Copper on BBC America. That is about an Irish American cop in New York’s Five Point area, so think Gangs of New York meets NCIS. Pretty good if you like history and crime.

I am also watching the first two seasons of Downtown Abbey on my Netflix. Yep, I’ve joined the bandwagon! Its a good show, although I have my doubts over how the interactions between the Crawley family and their servants are accurately depicted. What I mean by that is, the aristocratic family is just too friendly with their lower-class servants, and the servants seem too educated to be reading books and studying politics. I know its only a TV show, but the BBC is airing a special on what life was really like for servants in the early 20th century in the U.K. From what I’ve already read, it was nothing like how Downtown Abbey portrays it. The servants’ lives consisted of abuse and seeing little wages from their long hardworking hours with few days off. Tough times, indeed.

Oh, don’t mind me. I get picky when historical shows and movies don’t get accurate, even though I enjoy that genre so much.

Also, I would like to let you know that when I am not writing, I am also reading. My current book is Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey. I read the first book in her series a while back and enjoyed the intrigue and high adventure. So far, this second book is just as enjoyable. I’ll let you know how I like it.