Mad Men 510 Review- Merry Krishna

Pete- "Ya know, if I had told you last December that we'd be in the running for a car, you would've kissed me on the mouth."

Don- "Maybe you and I should go as a couple."

It's that time of year, when the world falls in love...or maybe it's just that time of year when the world pretends to be in love because her better half is a really good recruiter for her religion.

Seriously, between Harry's trip down Krishna lane, and Lane's money problems, there was a lot going on in "Christmas Waltz" that couldn't have cared less about.

As Harry's plot continued to get stranger and stranger as it went, I started wondering what the point was of adding this arc to the series.  Was it just to show that audience how caring Harry was?  Was it to add some religious elements to the mix?  Whatever the reasoning, I found myself not caring in the least what happened to the new Paul, and his lovely friend.

Similarly, I was bored out of my mind whenever Lane was by himself worrying about his money situation.  I understand that this certainly creates major issues for the company, but either the idea wasn't fleshed out that well, or I just can't handle Jared Harris as Lane after watching him as David Robert Jones during my recent Fringe catch-up binge.

To read the rest of my review of this week's Mad Men, head over to TV Fanatic.

Mad Men 510 - "Christmas Waltz"
Review
Recap
Quotes

The Borgias 207 Review- We're Gonna Have To Take The Boy

Juan- "If you don't have the stomach for this spectacle, you'll find that Spain lies that way."

Since Francois Arnaud and David Oakes have both been so fantastic during The Borgias second season, it's a shame that the series has had such a difficult time showcasing them in the same episode.  "The Siege at Forli" was yet another example of this mishap as Cesare Borgia was sidelined for the majority of the hour.

From his triumphant return, to his battlefield tactics, Juan Borgia was quite the standout once again.  It felt so good to have him back, especially when his return meant a pet panther and cigars for the pope.  I'm not sure which was more fun, watching the then unheard of cat bite the finger of Lucrezia, or watching Juan explain to Rodrigo and everyone else what the then unheard of cigars were and did.

It wasn't all panthers and puffing for the second son, though.  He also made his way to Forli to take out the great Catherina Sforza in battle.  What made his inevitable failure, and the quasi betrayal by his brother Cesare, so epic, was the feeling of superiority he and Rodrigo had going during their fireside chat early in the hour.

The father, sorry Holy Father, was proud that his boy had become a man, and truly felt that Juan was going to wipe out Catherina and take her back to Rome completely compliant.

To read the rest of my review of this week's The Borgias, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Borgias 207 - "The Siege at Forli"
Review
Recap
Quotes

Community 321 Review- A Plan Changs Together

Abed- "Which wire do I cut?"

Troy- "There's only one."

Abed- "God, I hope I'm right."

After a long season of reviewing The Office and 30 Rock here at TV Fanatic, giving both middling grades at best, it was a breath of fresh air when the boss asked me to help out with one of this week's trio of Community episodes.

Unlike its elder Comedy Night Done Right brothers, which in one way or another are shells of their former selves, Community is in the midst of one of the best two-season sitcom runs of all-time. It may be getting banished to Friday nights next season, but right now our favorite Human Beings are still the funniest people on television.

"The First Chang Dynasty" did not let me down in that regard. The penultimate episode of Community's third season had a nearly perfect combination of parody, physical comedy, sight gags, puns, characterization, heart and plot development. I know, that's a lot, but I don't get to review Community very often, so I need to stress how fantastic it truly is.

As a huge fan of Ocean's Eleven, I absolutely loved the Greendale Seven's parody of it. My favorite moment might have been the description of just how difficult the plan was going to be. There is no way they’re going to be able to get past Joshua, or figure out the code that is changed... once a day!

To read the rest of my review of last night's second of three episodes of Community, head over to TV Fanatic.

Community 321 - "The First Chang Dynasty"
Review
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Quotes

30 Rock 622 Review- I Now Pronounce You Divorced

Liz- "Hey, I don't bail. I am still watching Smash, Criss."

Television shows, especially sitcoms, normally lose some of their luster as time goes on. Whether it be that the series actually gets worse, or simply our perception of it does because the novelty has worn off, more often than not, things are not going to be the same by season six.

Because of that fact, 30 Rock should be commended for how good its sixth season has been. There have been misses like Hazel Wassername, and big hits like the second live show, but all in all, this spring has been a solid run for the veteran sitcom.

Unfortunately, "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" wasn't one of 30 Rock's better outings. The season finale had some one-offs that were nice enough, like the different things Liz's plant baby was up to, the fact that Criss has seen everything The Beek has done except Dawson's and Kenneth's reasons for calling people he likes bitches.

There were very few truly hilarious moments, though, and that is what we usually look for in a great episode of 30 Rock. For a season finale, this was pretty underwhelming. There was too much Hazel, Jack and Avery weren't at their best, and Jenna and Tracy were sidelined a bit too much.

To read the rest of my review of last night's 30 Rock season finale, head over to TV Fanatic.

30 Rock 622 - "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?"
Review
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Quotes

Survivor Finale- Kim Possible

Well that's all she wrote.  Another season of Survivor in the books, and another Fantasy Championship to Jaydon.

Here is an update on the history of Fantasy Survivor winners...


Spring 2012: Jaydon
Fall 2011: Larry
Spring 2011: Jaydon
Fall 2010: Dan
Spring 2010: Jaydon
Fall 2009: Jaydon
Spring 2009: Jaydon
Fall 2008: Mags

The dude has now won more than half of the seasons we have played this game.  Good work.

Meanwhile, only one season after winning his first championship, Larry is sent down to the Developmental League after coming in last this spring.  Who moves up?  None other than the first ever winner, Kyle Mengus.  Welcome back.


Champions League

Jaydon

Matt -100
Kim +361: Immunity (+20), W14 (+82), Immunity (+20), W15 (+96), Winner (+111)= +690
Alicia +416: Votes (-12)= +404
Nina -24

Last Week +653: Team Total= +970



Me

Jay +71
Chelsea +315: Votes (-8), W14 (+82), W15 (+96)= +485
Monica -5
Colton +25

Last Week +406: Team Total= +576

Jack
Troyzan +208
Christina +320: W14 (+82), Votes (-12)= +390
Kourtney -45
Bill -45

Last Week +438: Team Total= +508

Larry

Michael -17
Kat +179
Jonas +9
Tarzan +278

Team Total +449




Free Agents
Leif +146
Sabrina +429: W14 (+82), Votes (-4), W15 (+96)= +603

Developmental League

Mags

Matt
Kim: Immunity (+20), W14 (+82), Immunity (+20), W15 (+96), Winner (+111)= +329
Alicia: Votes (-12)= -12
Tarzan

Finale= +317, Team Total= +1,483

Marsh

Jay
Chelsea: Votes (-8), W14 (+82), W15 (+96)= +170
Bill
Christina: W14 (+82), Votes (-12)= +70

Finale= +240, Team Total= +1,221

Tippy

Troyzan
Kat
Colton
Monica

Team Total= +553




Rizzo

Michael
Jonas
Kourtney
Nina

Team Total= +49

Free Agents
Leif
Sabrina: W14 (+82), Votes (-4), W15 (+96)= +174

Mad Men 509 Review- Get On The Scale, Get Off The Scale

Michael- "I feel bad for you."

Don- "I don't think about you at all."

Both of Don Draper's former wives made valiant returns in "Dark Shadows." Fat Betty ate up the screen (pun intended) with every emotion you can imagine, while the deceased Anna Draper appeared in mention only via an attempt to cause a rift in Don's now solid family situation.

Although everyone in the known universe hates Betty Francis, it is difficult to argue that January Jones has been amazing in the role over these past five years. Let's look at the depth at which she portrayed the character this week by running through the many emotions of Fat Betty...

Sadness
Not only did it make me sad watching Betty attend those bizarre Weight Watcher meetings, it obviously was making her sad to be there. The leader of that crew is all well and good, but I think they could all benefit from a more influential instructor. I would suggest someone like Tony Perkis, who always knows how to treat his students at a "weigh-in."

Jealousy
With things seemingly not running so smoothly with Henry, Betty was supremely jealous when she walked through Don's apartment. The trendy furniture wasn't the only thing she was jealous of, though. Seeing Megan with her shirt off – and later reading that note from Don to his new wife – must have shattered Fat Betty's self confidence a lot.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Mad Men, head over to TV Fanatic.

Mad Men 509 - "Dark Shadows"
Review
Recap
Quotes

The Borgias 206 Review- Do You Perhaps Take Gold?

Rodrigo- Save your thoughts. Say nothing."

Cesare- I haven't uttered a word."

Rodrigo- No, but we can hear you thinking."

Similar to Sons of Anarchy at its best moments, the second season of The Borgias has done a fine job at showcasing both the outside and inside threats to its protagonistic family in concert.

While those coming from elsewhere - such as the Sforza forces or the Friar Savonarola - have been pushing the story of the season along, it is those issues close to the heart of the Borgias that has interested me most since the premiere.

The epicenter of the series' success continued to be Francis Arnaud's work as Cesare Borgia during "Day of Ashes." The eldest son of Pope Alexander kept striving towards earning the armor fit for the leader of the Papal Army, but per the usual, Rodrigo still didn't agree.

Watching Cesare use his "stray dogs" to take out the caravan, and steal all of the Medici gold, was fun, but it wasn't enough to change the Pope's mind. At the end of the day, that was all that Cesare was looking for. He wants to be the "one son in amour."

To read the rest of my review of last night's The Borgias, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Borgias 206 - "Day of Ashes"
Review
Recap
Quotes

American Idol Top 4- Ho Hum, Hollie

Fantasy Idol

Larry
Phillip Phillips: Safe (+55)
Skylar Laine
Erika Van Pelt
Adam Brock
Brielle Von Hugel
Top 4: +55, Team Total: 342

Rizzo
Jessica Sanchez: Safe (+55)
Shannon Magrane
Elise Testone
Aaron Marcellus
Johnny Keyser
Top 4: +55, Team Total: 276

Jack
Deandre Brackensick
Baylie Brown
Joshua Ladet: Safe (+55)
Chelsea Sorrell
Creighton Fraker

Top 4: +55, Team Total: 237

Tyson
Heejun Han
Hollie Cavanaugh: Eliminated (-24)
Jeremy Rosado
Hallie Day
Chase Likens
Top 4: -24, Team Total: 134

Me
Colton Dixon
Reed Grimm
Eben Franckewitz
Haley Johnson
Jen Hirsh
Team Total: 58