Gilmore Girls, A Review

Gilmore Girls

Confession: I watched Gilmore Girls religiously when I was in high school, and then sort of stopped watching my first two years of college (I was BUSY). So, when I saw that it was on Netflix, I knew it was time for a Gilmore Girls-a-thon! (Yes, readers, there will be spoilers in this review).

I forgot how good Gilmore Girls is, and also good at three particular things: relationships, relatability, and dialogue. GG is brilliant at showing the ladies build, nurture, and sometimes end relationships that leave you with all the emotions the ladies are feeling. I rooted for Dean (POOR DEAN!), I sort of hated Jesse (until he grew up), Paris may have been my favorite character, I liked both Luke and Christopher, I really had a thing for Logan (I get why she turned down the proposal, but noooooo!)...and I felt like I was in it. It totally didn't help that Rory was about the same age as I was, making it uber relatable to me!

Battle of the Boys

Beyond that, the show was relatable because it captured every day life so well. Going to the market, stopping by the diner, chatting with the townspeople--these are all seemingly trivial things that strengthened the bond of the town, and again, helped us understand the relationships so well.

Lastly, how can I bring up GG and not talk about the quick-witted, fast-talking dialogue the show was  known for. It was great watching this series again as an adult, because I picked up on way more jokes and allusions to historical and literary figures. GG is funny, and if you don't listen closely, you might miss something. Some of the best quotes included:

Lorelei: Give me a burger, onion rings, and a list of people who killed their parents and got away with it. I need some heroes.

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Rory: Do something to make me hate you!
Lorelei: Um, go Hitler?

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Paris: Maybe I shouldn't go. I mean, what if I fall for him and he doesn't like me? 

Rory: Then you'll find someone else. 

Paris: But what if there is no one else? 

Rory: Then you'll buy some cats.

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From the last episode, where Rory is going to leave for an indefinite amount of time: 

Lorelei: Get a window seat, honey, cause there's so much to see.

^

^

Cue Ashley crying like a baby. Because the very best thing about Gilmore Girls? The rock solid, iron-clad, ride-till-we-die relationship between Rory and Lorelei. Because it makes me want to strive for that bond with my own parents, my future children, and all humans. Only a true work of art can make us strive for such a noble cause. I'll drink a cup of coffee to that. 

Gilmore Girls

Other TV Show Reviews:

Arrested Development

Sex and the City

Felicity

LOST

Ally McBeal

Freaks and Geeks
Breaking Bad

How I Met Your Mother, A Review

Ugh, the finale...well I'll get to that at the end, hold tight (yes, this post will contain spoilers!).

I came to How I Met Your Mother late in the game, breezing through each season by way of Netflix marathons. I saw the evolution of the show quite clearly, and so I offer my humble thoughts...

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HIMYM is especially talented at both succeeding and sucking. There were moments where the show had such insightful epiphanies that I actually felt inspired, and then other moments where the plot was so ridiculous I had to roll my eyes. And that's the main issue I've always had with HIMYM: the characters easily teeter between charming and relatable to completely unbelievable.

But here's where HIMYM wins:

• The characters are awkwardly funny, and I love that. Ted's nerd jokes are cute, and the use of colloquial phrases like "just...just...okay!" is so darn clever I wonder why other shows never figured to do the same. 
• The past was frequently brought up. Other shows seem to treat life events as moments later forgotten, barely mentioning them as the seasons go on. HIMYM is more realistic in this realm. The characters bring up the past OFTEN, even ruminating at times. This is life, this is how we are. 
• The long-running inside jokes make the show. The slap joke (lest we forget Slapsgiving) is genius. Lily's fascination with kissing Robin is mentioned throughout. Ted's architecture factoids are frequently added and laughed at. Oh, and the interventions are my favorite!

So, the finale. The series finale was a major letdown (MAJOR LETDOWN! *salutes*). The reason is three-fold:

1. We spent a lot of time growing attached to the mom in the last season, and explaining that she dies in a matter of 5 seconds--in between a mish-mosh of milestones and major events--was insensitive and infuriating.

2. Speaking of, the finale was so overplotted it sucked any emotional power out of said milestones (except for Barney's daughter's birth, since Neil Patrick Harris is a compelling actor).

3. It's hard to accept Robin and Ted ending up in the end because, honestly, the love connection there is weak. We already fully accepted that Robin and Ted were not meant to be...A LONG TIME AGO. To have all this build up to the mom (who is so freaking cute, and we don't get enough of), only to return to the tired Robin/Ted dynamic is ultimately a poor choice. Or at least, it was done poorly. Overall, there was too much focus on Barney and Robin, the wedding, and Ted moving on that I had a hard time being content with a blue french horn ending.

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Ultimately, the show went on for two many seasons. Had the series been shortened, the episodes fine-tuned, and some of the ridiculousness taken out, I would have thought more highly of HIMYM. Even still, it succeeds somehow in its imperfection. There's something adorable about this cast (who look real and not like supermodels, THANK GOD), and most notably, the iconic bar scene that kept the show plugging along. I'll cheers to that (with a glass of scotch, of course).

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Other TV Show Reviews:

Arrested Development

Sex and the City

Felicity

LOST

Ally McBeal

Freaks and Geeks
Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad, A Review

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Where do I start? WHERE DO I START?

The best compliment I can give this show is this: I normally don't think shows are as well done as movies. Writers for shows tend to only write for the season, and so you will usually get a broken, haphazard storyline and a rushed ending. Breaking Bad, my friends, is the one exception. It's clear to see that the entire story--Walt's story--was thought of ahead of time.

I don't think I've ever been so fascinated by characters in a show. Walt’s transformation from an unsure, unassuming chemistry teacher into a narcissistic, power-hungry drug kingpin is simply fascinating. I remember times when I would HATE Walt, and then feel for him again, only to despise him once more.

And the ending. A show has never ended so perfectly.

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This show will keep you guessing. This show will make you a late-night TV watcher. This show will make you bite your nails. This show will make you think every run-down RV you pass has a meth lab inside. This show.

Some of my favorite parts (spoilers):

• When Gus died...WHAT?!?!
• Skyler and Walt's last scene, which was complete magic and made me cry. 
• Jesse's redemption. 
• When Hank found the Walt Whitman book (ahhhh!)
• The symbolism of Walt putting the watch Jesse gave him on the phone booth. 
• EVERYTHING. JUST EVERYTHING! 

Ok, so I think the characters of Lydia and Todd were a bit rushed, but it wasn't too much of a stretch; they were the only minor faults I found with BB. When I started watching BB, I thought to myself, "Was there ever a show before this?" And when it was over, I thought "What am I going to do now?" 

Breaking Bad will eternally reserve a place in my top 5. I've jumped on the bandwagon; so much so, I now have a BB t-shirt. Yep. If you haven't watched Breaking Bad, I suggest you head to Netflix straight away and start the pilot episode...just know that you will be a hermit for a good 3 weeks to a month!

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Other TV Show Reviews:

Arrested Development

Sex and the City

Felicity

LOST

Ally McBeal

Freaks and Geeks

Freaks and Geeks, A Review

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Freaks and Geeks...where do I begin?

I am thoroughly depressed over two things in regards to this show:

1. That there is only one season of this brilliant, coming-of-age dramedy. 
2. That I didn't watch it when it was on air, making me (and all of us) partly responsible for its demise. 

This show is an absolute charmer, because who can't relate to feeling freakish or geekish at some point in their life? F and G takes an insightful look into two groups of friends in a Michigan high school, circa 1980: a group of freaks and a group of geeks (you guessed it!).

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I don't think I've ever been so attached to characters in a TV Show. This is probably due to the stellar cast that was chosen, who are the perfect mix of awkward and adorable. But seriously, the cast!! Jason Siegal, James Franco, Seth Rogen--to name a few--are fresh-faced, newly discovered actors here, which makes them incredibly endearing (yeah, even Seth Rogen). My favorite character, Bill, is the perfect geek who just doesn't give a damn what people think of him. He revels in all his geeky glory and has THE BEST lines. An example:

Neil: I became a man when I turned 13.
Bill: Neil, that's just in your temple, not the real world!

I love Bill so much.

I could go on about the plot and characters, but there's no need. The best thing about this show is that it's painfully human in every episode. Maybe that's why its premature ending surely feels like a death.

Go to Netflix now and watch all 18 episodes. You'll thank me later.

Which character did you connect with in Freaks and Geeks? 

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Other TV Show Reviews:

Arrested Development
Sex and the City

Felicity
LOST
Ally McBeal

Arrested Development, A Review

This may be the one of the most inappropriate shows ever to air on TV. And I love. every. bit. of it.

Where do I start? WHERE DO I START?!? Should I even try and explain the premise?

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The main character is Michael Bluth, the one sane mind admist the nuttiest of families. Michael's dad, Michael Sr., is arrested on felony charges and the company is in trouble. Of course, Michael has to step up to the plate to keep both the company and his crazy family together. I'm not sure I can describe much more of the plot because it's so insane, I wouldn't be able to fit it all in a succinct post.

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I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a show.

The script...brilliant! The cast...EVEN MORE BRILLIANT. My three favorite characters include: Gob (and his epic magic acts), George Michael (who is in love with his cousin and is awkwardly adorable) and Franklin (the hilarious, racist puppet). Ok, so I didn't care for Charlize Theron's character Rita in the third season, as she lacks the "pizazz" the rest of the cast inherently has. But every show needs at least one screw-up. Besides this, Arrested Development is...dare I say? Perfect.

It's difficult to put into words how magically unique and quirky Arrested Development is. My only advice is, DEAR GOD, PLEASE WATCH IT! If you don't, Buster is going to come after you with his claw. HE'S A MONSTERRRRR!

Lucky for all of us, we haven't seen the end of AD. It's coming back by popular demand, viewable on Netflix. And I hear there is a movie in the works? Annyong! I'm ready to see what Lucille has up her sleeve...

Did you watch AD? Who was your favorite character?!?


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Other TV Show Reviews:

Sex and the City

Felicity
LOST
Ally McBeal

Felicity, A Review

Before I review, can I just ask: HOW many shows does J.J. Abrams and Ron Howard have their hands in?!? Those are two wealthy suckers!

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Onto Felicity, the bookworkmy high school graduate that follows her crush (edging on obsession) to a New York university. Seriously, Felicity is a stalker-in-the-making. So why keep watching?

Noel Crane. Noel brought a human element to the show that was much needed, and MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE than the Ben/Felicity storyline. Of course, my affinity for brunettes in sweaters skews this opinion slightly; however, Noel and Felicity are just more of a fit.

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I say this because Felicity was always trying to save Ben. ALWAYS. If there is anything I've learned through the years, it's to avoid those horrendous relationships. I remain Team Noel. I choose the geeky brunettes over the unattainable blondes!

Like most shows, Felcity had a super strong start and an ending that made you say, "what the f***?" The show started to go downhill once they switched theme songs (I hate when shows do that). And the ending was...just...I mean, really? Time travel? Why introduce something so supernatural into a show that shined because of its realism?

Despite possibly the worst ending of all time, there is something really loveable and addictive about Felicity. Of course, the love triangle keeps things exciting. I also appreciated the scripts ability to highlight mundane eccentricities of each character, like Javier's use of "crunch" instead of crush. Lastly, there was something really special about the show's portrayal of college life: the dark-halled dorms, the late-night study sessions during finals week, the roommate issues, gritty shots of the classroom, etc., all shown in a contemporary way.

Characters today are entirely too glammed up: fake eyelashes, suits, designer shoes. I miss the shows of the 90s, like Felicity, that have stripped-to-their-soul characters: fresh faces, realistic clothing, minimal makeup. None of this I'm a hot spy that solves a crime everyday nonsense.

But I guess that's a rant for another time...

What did you think of Felicity?


P.S. WHY was Elena alive in the last episode?!?

Other TV Show Reviews:

LOST
Ally McBeal

Ally McBeal, A Review

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I've stil been on a kick watching old wildly popular shows on Netflix. Ally McBeal was one of those shows that had me wondering, "what was all the fuss about?"

The first two seasons of Ally McBeal? Pure FREAKING magic. Ally starts off adorably neurotic and obsessed over an old love, Billy. When she gets a job at a new law firm, she finds out Billy works there too (eek!) and is married (double eek!). The basic plot appeals to everyone's human core--jealousy, temptation, love and heartbreak.

The cherry on top is Ally's co-workers, who have catch phrases: "Snappish!" "Bygones!" and even do song and dance numbers, lest you forget John Cage dancing to Barry White. Ally McBeal had everything going for it. It was lovably quirky, but not over-the-top. It even had dancing babies.

And then...

*SPOILER*

The show made the biggest mistake I have ever seen a show make. In season 3, they kill off the most crucial character in Ally's world. Billy dies from a brain tumor...er, aneurism? Who cares! It's the dumbest plot twist I have ever witnessed in a popular TV show. What ensues is a mad dash to fill the plot with another character for Ally to love; but alas, the writers had spent so much time building up Billy, no one else could replace him.

I read later that Gil Bellows (Billy) left the show in pursuit of a movie career, as they allowed the cast to have short contracts. Whatever the case, I really started to hate a show I once loved, as I felt obligated to watch every season to give a proper review. And the show only lasted 5 seasons. Guess other people started to hate it too.

If you're going to watch Ally McBeal, do yourself a HUGE favor and stop at the end of Season 2! Not even Barry White was able to save such a mess of a show.


Did you watch Ally McBeal? Were you still a fan after Season 3? 



Old Reviews:

LOST

LOST, A Review

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I've been on this newfound kick in where I watch old wildly popular shows on Netflix that I had never seen before.

I knew what my first choice had to be: LOST.

Instantly, from the first episode, I was sucked in. I'm a girl who loves me some mystery. I love figuring out plots, looking for clues and patting myself on the back when I guess the right outcome (hmmm...this is a prideful hobby of mine). And LOST just has this great primal, gritty, Lord of the Flies kind of feel to it.

And then come the questions: What is up with the polar bears? Who are the others? What do the numbers mean? <---all questions that are terribly fun to figure out. It's all in the chase!

Oh, and it's also ALL ABOUT these two guys:

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I mean look at them! Hot men, all dirty and sweaty in the jungle...

*ahem*

Now I agree with all the assessments of LOST getting a little, um, much in the 4th season on. Seemingly swirling, out-of-control plot twists leave your head spinning. Time travel? Alternate dimensions? Whaaaat?

But in the end, I think it really comes together. Every detail, every number, every hatch is accounted for. I have a lot of regard for the writing in this show, with it's clever foreshadowing and impressive coordination. And don't forget those two dreamboats, Sawyer and Jack (I know you didn't forget).

And you shan't forget. This is one of the things LOST did best: there is a strong connection between character and audience. You feel deeply for Sayid's troubled past. You root for Kate to escape the law. You rejoice when Sun and Jin fall in love again. You believe in Locke. The line between fiction and reality is blurred--this is when a show truly succeeds.

LOST is one of the best shows I've seen, and now that it's over, I feel as though I'm missing it.

Did you watch LOST? Were you a fan of the ending? What was your favorite season(s)?

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Next hit series I'm watching? Ally McBeal. Stay tuned.