The Idiot Box: TV Season 2011/2012

[ThunderMonkey]

actually if you have not seen eureka they did a good job with it. though my favorite episode would probably be this latest Christmas special.

The Christmas episode is pretty special.

[Crafty_Pat]

actually if you have not seen eureka they did a good job with it. though my favorite episode would probably be this latest Christmas special.

Agreed. It worked out to be a major upgrade for the show in the long run.

[foproy]

actually if you have not seen eureka they did a good job with it. though my favorite episode would probably be this latest Christmas special.

Agreed. It worked out to be a major upgrade for the show in the long run.

it really wasn't that long of a run though was it?
fargo!!!

[Sletchman]

actually if you have not seen eureka they did a good job with it. though my favorite episode would probably be this latest Christmas special.

Agreed (on both counts).  Say what you will about SyFy, but their Christmas specials for Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven were pretty awesome last year.

[foproy]

actually if you have not seen eureka they did a good job with it. though my favorite episode would probably be this latest Christmas special.

Agreed (on both counts).  Say what you will about SyFy, but their Christmas specials for Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven were pretty awesome last year.

i did not see warehouse or haven, but i like on eureka how they went through every single type of animation.

[Sletchman]

Oh, absolutely.  Eureka was above and beyond levels of awesome.

So... the latest episode of Fringe then...  I can't think of much to say beyond "Wow".  It's just a shame that it came here, at the (possible) end of all things.  I'm also totally in love with it's customised opening sequence (and the continued brilliance of John Noble).

[Mister Andersen]

Any idea when they're likely to announce if Alcatraz has been renewed for a 2nd season?

[ThunderMonkey]

Any idea when they're likely to announce if Alcatraz has been renewed for a 2nd season?

It's on the bubble. The up fronts are supposed to start rolling out in three weeks.

[Crafty_Pat]

So... the latest episode of Fringe then...  I can't think of much to say beyond "Wow".  It's just a shame that it came here, at the (possible) end of all things.  I'm also totally in love with it's customised opening sequence (and the continued brilliance of John Noble).

As much as I enjoyed the episode (and yes, that title sequence was gold), it feels like a misstep. This late in what could very well be their final season the show needs to be focused on the pressing current threat - not establishing a new one. I hope they know what they're doing.

Any idea when they're likely to announce if Alcatraz has been renewed for a 2nd season?

It's on the bubble. The up fronts are supposed to start rolling out in three weeks.

It took me until last weekend to finally get through the finale and I found it just as lackluster as the rest of the season. I adore Sarah Jones and trigger-happy Houser was mildly entertaining early on, but the show doesn't make very good use of either and there's really nothing else going on. it's a shame, but I'm not sure I could justify watching Season 2, even if the net justifies keeping it on.

[Sletchman]

So... the latest episode of Fringe then...  I can't think of much to say beyond "Wow".  It's just a shame that it came here, at the (possible) end of all things.  I'm also totally in love with it's customised opening sequence (and the continued brilliance of John Noble).

As much as I enjoyed the episode (and yes, that title sequence was gold), it feels like a misstep. This late in what could very well be their final season the show needs to be focused on the pressing current threat - not establishing a new one. I hope they know what they're doing.

Absolutely.  It certainly seems like the ep was made with them assuming they'd get another season.  Hopefully they get it.

[Krensky]

So... Eueaka...

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I think someone massively underestimated how dangerous a pissed of Fargo can be.

[Sletchman]

So... Eueaka...

(click to show/hide)

I think someone massively underestimated how dangerous a pissed of Fargo can be.

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Very much so.  Also it seems like Wen hasn't quite considered the way that this will snowball out of their control.  Everyone questions a sudden disappearance, and further questions reality - especially with no body to see (and analyse), which makes it infinitely harder to spin.  I also wonder if Holly's last line was intentionally (somewhat) prophetic?  Soon as her and Fargo's exchange ended my first thought was "well then... she's toast".

I did get a kick out of Beverly repeating the explanation I gave my housemate verbatim (RE: why they chose 4 years later, and why they changed what they did) at the start of the episode.  I like it when I nail the little details.

[Krensky]

So... Eueaka...

(click to show/hide)

I think someone massively underestimated how dangerous a pissed of Fargo can be.

(click to show/hide)

Very much so.  Also it seems like Wen hasn't quite considered the way that this will snowball out of their control.  Everyone questions a sudden disappearance, and further questions reality - especially with no body to see (and analyse), which makes it infinitely harder to spin.  I also wonder if Holly's last line was intentionally (somewhat) prophetic?  Soon as her and Fargo's exchange ended my first thought was "well then... she's toast".

I did get a kick out of Beverly repeating the explanation I gave my housemate verbatim (RE: why they chose 4 years later, and why they changed what they did) at the start of the episode.  I like it when I nail the little details.

(click to show/hide)

The show's also established that, as much as they're good people, Jack and Jo can be ruthless and brutal when it's called for. Then there's Henry... who's even worse when pushed.

Also... what genius stuck Zane in the fscking matrix?

This all makes me keep saying... Are Bevery and the Consortium really that naive about the people they're dealing with?

[Crafty_Pat]

SyFy had its upfronts today and among the offerings was that transmedia thing I've been talking about. It's called Defiance. Here's the log line...

Defiance – 2013 – Defiance is in collaboration with Trion Worlds, with the Syfy series and Trion’s multi-platform shooter MMO poised to debut simultaneously. The series stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Fionnula Flanagan, Mia Kirshner and Oscar-nominee Graham Greene. Set in the near future, Defiance introduces a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Forced to co-habitate, the disparate group struggles to build a new society among the devastation. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story. Defiance is directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest) and written/executive produced by Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape), Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) and Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica). Kevin Murphy serves as showrunner. Defiance is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

The rest of the scripted slate also looks interesting, though these are the highlights IMO...

High Moon – Based on the novel, The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher, this imaginative, out-of-this-world series explores a world where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon’s resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover its powerful secrets. Executive producer: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies). Co-executive producer: Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies). Writers: Bryan Fuller and Jim Danger Gray. Executive producer: Granat Entertainment. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

Eyes of the Dragon – Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel. A kingdom is in turmoil as the old king dies and his successor must battle for the throne. Pitted against an evil wizard and a would-be rival, Prince Peter makes a daring escape and rallies the forces of good to fight for what is rightfully his. Writers: Michael Taylor (Defiance, Battlestar Galactica) and Jeff Vintar (I, Robot). Executive producers: Michael Taylor and Bill Haber. A production of Universal Cable Productions and Ostar Productions.

Darkfall – When, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past, Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down. Writers: Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda, Sleeper Cell). A production of The Jim Henson Company and Universal Cable Productions.

[foproy]

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i hate that they killed holly, though they could bring her in as an ai, though odd behaviors would stand out with her more than the other ai. anyone get the feeling that Beverly may be behind the crew being found later?