How to Tell A Vision

posted under: Acting, Home, Television on Saturday, May 10, 2008

Keep in mind that even though I watch a lot of t.v. I don’t actually follow a lot of shows. Most of the time I’m either watching movies, shows I’ve downloaded or watching repeats of Seinfeld (sometimes Frasier and sometime Everybody Loves Raymond and sometime Malcolm in the Middle. Yeah, I have a problem with repeats. I know.). But once a week, every Thursday, I tune the station to ABC and watch my favorite show. Lost.

I know that this is a mixed bag and lots of people are on the fence about this show or just all out hate it. Lots of people stopped watching in Season 2 complaining of lack of vision or writers not knowing where the story’s direction was going or the occasional show that didn’t seem to progress the plot. I totally understand. Totally! And I mean no offense but you are so wrong.

The complaint of writers and director not knowing where the story is going is baseless considering that not only have the writers said for a long time that they know exactly where this is going and how it is going to end, but if you would have kept watching the show you would see this to be true. Everything fits together. Granted it’s like a 5,000 piece puzzle of the sky with no puzzle box picture. I’ll give you one thing. They didn’t always know when the show was going to end. But they do now (source).

I guarantee that if you have watched from the beginning and are now current, every Thursday your mind is swept up from the floor, poured back into your skull and then re-blown. Every other episode or so I tend to say “that was the best episode yet!”

Yes there are some episodes that don’t have as big a payoff as you might want. Those are typically precursors to a big setup or event that may not happen till far later and some people like more instant gratification than a long and slow unveiling. I understand. Yes, there are silly love triangle, soap opera moments (Will she choose Jack or Sawyer! OMG!). This is almost a necessity in every television show. Please feel free to defy this as a rule but this is practically a given in television.  Which brings me to my next new addiction.

Battlestar Galactica, or BSG for those in the know. This show is fantastic! It has those silly soap opera moments on occasion, especially in the beginning of Season 2, but damn if this show doesn’t deliver. This is perhaps the best sci-fi series I’ve ever watched. I don’t consider myself a Trekkie but I’ve always held Next Generation close to my heart. But, sorry Picard, Adama will wipe the floor with you.

I would say Edward J Almos steals the show but the acting is of such high caliber that I’m constantly impressed. Of course, great writing and directing has just as much to do with it. Watch the mini-series first. You have to. Then you’ll be sucked in and downloading them like mad. I promise. Shout out to my girl, Petty Officer Dualla. She can give me jump coordinates anyday (HEYO!).

So, I guess my weakness is in mystery, suspense, thriller, action type shows. But I definitely enjoy great comedies. Hands down the best comedy on television today, aside from The Daily Show or Colbert Report of course, is 30 Rock. It’s a show where every character is your favorite. Though I fawn over Tina Fey, the real star is Alec Baldwin for me. I really feel this is Baldwin’s best role to date; he wears his character’s skin so tight that you can never tell where Baldwin begins and Donaghy ends. Such a smart and well shot comedy.

Of course The Office is right up there. How Steve Carell manages to play the world’s worst boss you love to hate and then turn on a dime and practically bring you to tears with a simple expressive touching moment just baffles me. Carell’s Michael is just making the best of this world and his simple job and he just tries too damn hard to be what he isn’t. Do we hate him or do we hate that we can relate to him? Either way we can all laugh at him. Amazing talent.

Unfortunately, Heroes hasn’t begun again otherwise I would rave about it as well. Come on, September 2008? You’re killing me!

I suppose my honorable mentions are My Name Is Earl and South Park. Still very funny shows, but admittedly I don’t always drool in anticipation for the next new show.

So what are your favorite shows on television today?