Happy Tuesday, faithful readers! The plot thickens and the story unravels this week on Ringer; and Buffy slays me again. If you remember, I had some harsh critiques on the show when it premiered. I wasn’t sure Sarah Michelle Gellar had the chops to carry her Sister Act; and equally feared that the writing would lack originality and interest. While I’m still not entirely convinced that the show will go the distance, and I’m not holding my breath for any serious awards, I will say that it holds my attention for one hour per week. Which is more than I can say for most things. Or people.
It was a nice surprise to see the episode start off in New York with Arnold Rothstein and Charlie “Lucky” Luciano back into the mix. More interesting was their meeting with Jimmy who was offering A.R. his own liquor products. I think everyone will be caught off guard to see how quickly things are moving against Nucky. After last week’s incarceration of both himself and Chalky, the sharks are moving in to finish the job.
The Commodore and Eli have Nucky’s inner circle set against him and taking over the liquor business, with Jimmy in charge of the liquor transporting. The only one who seems set against it is Damien. (The guy who inherited Nucky’s dad’s house.)
Overall the episode was average at best. I give it 2 out of 5 because honestly, not alot happened. Margaret wasn’t given a whole lot to do but play housewife while Nucky was gone dealing with his legal troubles. Even the parts with Jimmy in New York and his dealings with Lansky and Luciano were not very substantial even though they were the best parts. I’m hoping that next week’s episode picks things up a bit, especially with Nucky confronting his enemies face to face instead of over the phone.
Well the second season of the BBC hit Luther(which already aired in the UK) is set to premiere on BBC America tonight, and I can tell you – it’s excellent. If you aren’t familiar with the show, it stars Idris Elba (The Wire) as ‘John Luther’, an English Homicide Detective who often heads up the most gruesome of cases and is dealing with the end of his marriage.
Sounds pretty standard no? Well, it’s not. In fact, it’s extraordinary. The writing, how it’s shot, even the music are all brilliant. And season 1 is available streaming on Netflix. At only 6 episodes, the first season is a quick and easy watch, and it’s one I can’t recommend more highly. I watched it straight though.
So Season 2 makes its American debut tonight, and I meant to get this up sooner so people might have time to get caught up, but I’m a terrible person so here we are. Anyhow, here is some teasers for season 2…
In an expected come down from episode 10, Sunday’s Breaking Bad showed us Walt on the very edge. What was just an average episode for the 43 minutes, did more with just the last few moments than some shows will do in a whole hour. That last 2 minutes was chilling. And I loved it. But we’ll get back to that, first the buildup.
We start with the conclusion of last week’s excellentfest when Jessie delivers Gus and Mike to their doctor, and you realize Mike’s injury may have been more severe than previously thought.
Walt then learns, that while he’s been recouping, and Jessie has been out-of-town, someone else has been cooking in the lab. This, paired with Gus’ comment to Pinkman about running the lab solo have proven that Walt’s usefulness has run its course. That leads us to the next major event to play out – Walt’s trip to the desert.
And this is where things get weird, and I haven’t figured out why yet, but we hear Mike’s voice from Walt’s head.
Mike’s Voice – “If you could kill me…
Walt’s Voice – …I’d already be dead.”
Any theories on that are welcome as I don’t have a real guess. Sorry, my brain is only working at half speed right now.
The 2 other events that transpired before the end were Walt causing a car accident to keep Hank from seeing the Laundry, which seemed mildly ridiculous, but hey – better idea?
And secondly the Ted Beneke situation, which was hilarious. After Saul sent a couple of guys over the ensure Ted paid his IRS fees, ol’ Beneke makes a run for it. It doesn’t go well. He in fact gets defeated by a throw rug for the 2nd time in the episode.
Hahaha. Too good. The problem though is that this promises more Skyler over the next 2 episodes, but with any luck there will be enough Saul to balance it out.
Finally, the last scene. Holy crap. Walt’s mad scramble for the cash in the crawl space, learning that Skyler gave it away, Marie’s phone call – all with the background of the Joker’s Walt’s laughter. Chilling my friends.
The first 43 minutes get a 2/5 and the last 2 minutes get a 6/5 (Yeah – that’s right) so that evens out to about a 4/5.
Let the hypocrisy fly! Clay doesn’t want charters selling drugs, but it’s ok the mule them for the cartel? Bobby sees it, why can’t Clay? Anyhow, last night the Sons went on their first run for the Cartel and while things went relatively smooth, they did have some issues with their Tuscon charter, which draws some unfavorable comparisons to the Redwood. Despite their problems with the Irish, the Mexicans, the Russians, the Triads, and the law – this is just another example proving that the club’s biggest problem, is the club. And that’s what ‘Una Venta’ was all about.
While the whole episode was mostly just to further drive a wedge between Bobby and Clay, there is more. We see another parallel between the Tuscon Club and SAMCRO – Tuscon’s Reggie was sleeping with the old lady of another member, just like Bobby was sleeping with Luanne, who of course was married to Otto. Well Mr. State’s Attorney Potter, under the guise of a Sheriff’s Deputy, has let Otto know about the affair, and done his best to convince Otto that Bobby killed Luanne. The audience however knows that Luanne was killed by Georgie Caruso (Tom Arnold) way back in season 2.
The other major development is with Tara and Piney, discussing John Teller’s letters and then ultimately Piney’s health issues as he collapses in Tara’s office. Overall, Piney’s health and Bobby’s affair both hearken good news for Clay, as they will surely play out in his favor.
Although it does not premiere until October 2, I just watched the first episode of the sixth season of Dexter…and it was fantastic.
The episode began by putting me in a panic. Dexter calls 911 saying he has been stabbed, resulting in his next two victims’ arrival. From the moment the episode began, I could not help but sigh with relief. Dexter Morgan, I have missed you.
This episode “Those Kinds of Things” introduced a new pair of evil-doers: Edward James Olmos(Battlestar Galactica) and Colin Hanks(The Good Guys). While not many details were given about what the duo is doing or why, I was pleased to see Hanks in the role of a creeper. It is very believable.
Grizzly Bomb 
