Grey's Anatomy - The Time Warp, 6.15

I love the flashback device. I love how it deepens characterization and changes up the typical format, especially in a procedural. This episode of Grey's Anatomy did it right, balancing three separate flashback storylines in parallel with the lecture series.

Chief Webber's lecture tied all three stories together, and was a good platform for him to openly discuss his recent leadership problems. It was a good way for him to go, if he is in fact leaving. I haven't heard anything about Pickens leaving the show, so I'm assuming he'll stick around for a while as Meredith's mentor/charge. I know Shonda loves the Chief, but it might be hard for him to stay relevant since there are so many characters at Seattle Grace to deal with as it is.

Other things:

• Calliope Torres is my favorite character. She was the underdog in the beginning, the newcomer that no one liked. Her relationship (and subsequent marriage) to George was sudden and kind of out of the blue, and it was an unpleasant surprise to the Fab Five Original Interns as well as viewers who expected him to end up with Izzie or nurse Olivia. This episode explored Callie's time at Seattle Grace pre-O'Malley, when she had a brief fling with Alex. Shocker! It also gave us a peek at petrified Callie, who can't make a speech if her life depended on it. Sara Ramirez is adorable, and proved over the past few seasons to be undeniably likable.
• Loved Bailey hitting Cristina in the face with candy.
• J. August Richards as young Webber and Sarah Paulson as young Ellis were spot-on, personality- and appearance-wise. I was a bit distracted by the silly hairpiece, but it was an interesting look into their past nonetheless. Little Meredith with Anatomy Jane escorted by a ridiculous looking Thatcher was a highlight.

Last Thursday's NBC Comedy Lineup

Over a week later and I'm back. I wasn't immediately compelled to write about these episodes, so I simply never did. The theme of the night was of course Valentine's Day, and while it was fun to see each show's inevitable romantic, goofy, hijinks, on the whole I wasn't impressed. But there were parts that made me smile, so NBC comedy night, I forgive you!

Community - Communication Studies, 1.16

The previous week's episode, Romantic Expressionism, was flawless, and Communication Studies didn't measure up at all.

For starters: although I'm warming up to Britta (her hungover vulnerability helped, and I'm willing to bet it was supposed to), I thought her drunk dialing storyline was boring. And in the end, I still don't care enough about her and Jeff as a couple to get the warm-and-fuzzies at their Valentines dance encounter. It was a lame premise to begin with - Jeff having to drunk dial Britta because she did it to him? I'm sure there are many other solutions to "balance" their relationship. Abed's tutelage was funny, but the entire storyline felt contrived, once again, to get us to root for Jeff + Britta.

The parallel story with Troy, Pierce, Annie, Shirley, and Senor Chang was equally boring. I get it - Annie and Shirley care about their friends! Senor Chang is so hilariously cruel! Womens' pantsuits are funny! Overall, an underwhelming episode.

Parks and Recreation - Galentine's Day, 2.16

My favorite of the bunch, as per usual. I dug Leslie's extra thoughtful Galentines Day gift bags (which included a mosaic portrait made from the crushed bottles of each gal's favorite diet soda), Tom and Justin's relationship, Andy's band Mouse Rat (formerly Scarecrow Boat, among other names), the deleted scenes of everyone mocking poor Jerry, and above all, the relationship developments that occurred during the episode.

Leslie begins to realize Justin isn't right for her, and Ron helps her through the decision. April finally dumps her gay boyfriend and his boyfriend when they make fun of an old couple (she's really a big softie, underneath it all). Ann realizes her seemingly ideal relationship with Mark is actually pretty boring. Andy dedicates "The Way You Look Tonight" to April Ludgate, to Ann's surprise. Tom tells Wendy how he feels.

And that's just the regular cast! The central storyline really revolves around Leslie's mom Marlene's "greatest love story of all time" and its disillusionment. A great, relationship-driven episode, with fewer laughs than usual; but as always, with enough heart to make up for it.

The Office - The Manager and the Salesman, 6.16

My least favorite of the four... again! And I hate to say that, too, because it was written by Mindy Kaling, one of my favorite Office writers ("The Dundies," "The Injury," among others).

The parts I enjoyed were the cold open (Michael canceling his hotel reservation), the Kelly/Erin/Andy/entire office V-Day card confusion (Andy/Erin is my favorite part of every episode, now), and at the very end when Jim dunked Dwight's tie into his coffee (oh prankster Jim, how I miss you!).

The parts I didn't enjoy were everything else. Hasn't the Jim vs. Michael managerial/control thing been played out? Not fun anymore. Hopefully that's done now, with Jim back as a salesman again.

30 Rock - Anna Howard Shaw Day, 4.13

I'd been looking forward to this episode since the promo pictures came out of Drew, Dennis, and Floyd. Liz Lemon is a lucky woman!

The episode had some hits (Jenna thinking Julia Roberts is her peer, "One word: Oral. Two words: Oral surgery.") and some misses (Jenna's stalker plot was kinda flat). I liked Elizabeth Banks as Avery Jessup and her Hot Box interview with Jack. But my favorite part had to be in the last five minutes (sigh!) when Liz hallucinated the nurses as her past boyfriends. Dean Winters, Jon Hamm, and Jason Sudeikis looking VERY good. I was pleased. And the tag had me cracking up, hilarious!

In short: so-so episode; love Liz's ex-boyfriends.

Modern Family - My Funky Valentine, 1.15

I love Modern Family. Awesome cast, super writing, etc, etc. When I first watched the Pilot I was reminded of Arrested Development not because of the family dynamics (polar opposites - the Bluths aren't nearly as sweet) but because of the sharp wit. I was also reminded of Scrubs because of MF's balance between comedy and heart.

My Funky Valentine was a good episode, though not as strong as the ones where the entire family is together (Pilot, The Incident). I liked the Manny/Cameron/Mitchell storyline the best - I love when members of the different families come together in different combinations.

House - 5 to 9, 6.13

Last night's 5 to 9 - or by its alternate title, Lisa Cuddy's Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day - was refreshing, though not the strongest 42 minutes the show's ever given us. I preferred it to Wilson's own Zeppo-style episode a few weeks back, judging solely by the fact that I can't remember much of it at all, so it must not have been terribly memorable.

I don't like where House is headed. It's a series based on standalone episodes, which is is a factor that contributes to its immense popularity. I get that, and I do enjoy procedural TV when it's done well, but this season's boring story lines don't help its likability. I never really cared about Foreman, let alone Foreman plus the even more dull Thirteen. I like Taub, I like(d) Cameron and Chase, and I liked the original team's dynamics. The show hit its stride with season one's Three Stories, and reached what is possibly its peak with House's Head/Wilson's Heart season four finale. Introducing a new team was not a horrible idea, and its execution was fun, with House terrorizing a lecture-room full of motley hopefuls. After that, though, viewers were left with Taub's marriage issues, House and Cuddy's UST, and the uninteresting and never-ending turbulent chronicles of Foreman and Thirteen's relationship. Yawn...

I'll keep watching in hopes we'll get more showcases like Broken for Hugh Laurie, and more House/Wilson-apartment-escapades. I couldn't care less about Lucas and Cuddy because I never cared about her relationship with House in the first place.

• 5 to 9 depressed me. What an awful, stressful life. I suppose her tribulations "paid off" in the end as she lay in bed with Rachel and Lucas, but I'm not convinced.
• I wonder if we'll get more of these types of episodes; they're a welcome break from the typical, predictable stuff we get every other week.
• When did the I lose emotional connection with these characters? I have no idea. I used to love these people. I'll be sure to document if and when I start liking them again.

Chuck - Chuck Versus the Mask, 3.7

Since this is my first Chuck post, I guess I'd better get the obligatory "Chuck is spectacular" comments out of the way.

Chuck is so much fun. Its bright colors and awesome action sequences are decidedly reminiscent of comic books and superhero cartoons. It's a show about spies and secret identities and romance. Leads Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski are both wonderful dramatic and comedic actors. Not to mention, they have fabulous chemistry (I'm going to purposely shy away from the recent shipper controversy in this post). I always enjoy Adam Baldwin, and I love Joshua Gomez as the ever-uninformed Morgan on the Buy More front. Season three guests Kristin Kruek and Brandon Routh are great fits as well; I'm wondering how long they'll stick around. Too bad this season's budget is chopped, because they'd be awesome regulars.

All in all, the show is a blast. I'm a sucker for comedies with heart, and Chuck is that and more: It excels at genuine character development, super guest stars (I geeked out for Tricia Helfer), pop-culture references, and making you root for the nerd to get the hot girl in the end. Which happens often, hooray!

More stuff I like about Chuck plus some thoughts about Chuck vs. the Mask:

• I'm a huge fan of the show's non-diegetic music, credit to music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, who also did The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy. Very influential shows for music. Props for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, the National, Ratatat, and more.
• Liked the Routh-Superman reference. I want him to stick around half because I'm liking the love quadrangle, and half because he's so good looking.
• I hate watching things in museums being broken. I winced every time a vase was smashed.

Drones

I'm so excited for this movie!

Reasons I am excited:

• Samm Levine and Dave (Gruber) Allen of Freaks and Geeks, one of my favorite shows of all time!
• Music by Common Rotation!
• Directed by Amber Benson and Adam Busch, one of my favorite couples ever!
• Jonathan Woodward! I've missed him. Disappointed he never got to be on Dollhouse, which he no doubt would have guested on had it not ended so prematurely.
• Aliens! Yes!

Grey's Anatomy - State of Love and Trust, 6.13

I might be biased when it comes to Grey's Anatomy.

It's a relationship-driven doctor show where each case is a metaphor for an obstacle a character is facing, everyone has sex, and repetition of a word or phrase means it's the Theme of the Episode. Tearful speeches are its bread and butter. The entire cast is extremely attractive. But what separates it from a large-budget soap opera that just happens to be on prime time is its A) cast of amazing actors, B) self-awareness, and C) unique voice.

I won't go through the entire cast list praising everyone, because it is a huge cast, but I certainly could. Sandra Oh, Chandra Wilson, and Katherine Heigl were rightfully nominated for their Emmys through the seasons. New additions Kevin McKidd and Jessica Capshaw have done a tremendous job too. However, I couldn't say the same for this season's Mercy West-ers - indie queen Nora Zehetner and hottie Jesse Williams don't shine quite as brightly. When Ellen Pompeo and the rest of the original five interns leave the show (TR Knight already gone and Katherine Heigl possibly being phased out) I'm not convinced the some-12.5 million viewers will stick around to watch the bland younger crew tough it out.

Grey's Anatomy is a drama, foremost, and the viewers' investment in the characters and their relationships is the principle draw of the series. Shonda couldn't have picked a better original cast. The first two seasons of the show, Grey's was the number one drama on television. It had perfect amounts of romance, angst, outlandish medical cases, and quirky Shonda-esque dialogue. Arguably, after Kate Walsh left for her spinoff Private Practice, the show got a little bumpy. But despite it all, the emotional side of the show (which is, granted, pretty much 100% of it) was constantly heartbreaking. It always contributed to realistic character development, which I appreciated.

I have a lot more to say, but I'd rather bullet some stuff about Thursday's episode:

• Arizona and Callie are my favorite couple on the show right now. After Meredith and Derek got post-it-married, their relationship hasn't been the first thing I think about when I watch anymore.
• I love when the show puts different combinations of characters together. Arizona and Alex this week was super cute, and you could tell how much Alex has changed since Addison.
• Sandra Oh is impeccable; her final scene with Owen was completely convincing and heartbreaking, as usual. I was surprised she hadn't told him about Burke yet. She also got some good lines: "Please don't cry on my ass."
• I think Lexie is a very endearing character. I'm sure everyone thought she was annoying at first, but she really grew on me. When she teared up in the elevator I really felt for her, which I wouldn't have done a season or so ago.
• I don't like Kim Raver's character. I think Teddy is a good person, but an unnecessary obstacle in Cristina and Owen's already difficult relationship.

30 Rock - Verna, 4.12

Thursday's 30 Rock had some hits and misses. I laughed pretty hard when they hit, though.

I just finished writing a whiny post about The Office, so I'm all complained-out. But I will say that I am not enjoying this season as much as the last three. I wrote earlier somewhere else that I didn't enjoy the first two episodes because their political humor wasn't very funny, nor did it fit quite right in 30 Rock-style. The episodes between then and now were either excellent (The Problem Solvers, Sun Tea) or lacking (Winter Madness, Verna).

Now about Verna:

• There was little Tracy Jordan, which I was fine with. Tracy Jordan in moderation is the way to go.
• I enjoyed Jan Hooks as Jenna's mom. Cute. I did not enjoy Jack ranting about Colleen without her there - I adore Elaine Stritch and I love all things Colleen.
• I lol'd when Liz read her nasty-sounding health food lunch and punched Lutz's food out of his arms. I love Lutz-getting-bullied humor.
• Also loved Liz's hidden night camera. So good.

The Office - Sabre, 6.15

I don't like The Office much anymore. It's a good show with a good cast, which is why I'm disappointed in the writing this season. Because it's a "small" show about a single office in Scranton, Pennsylvania, easy plot lines were quickly exhausted (sexual harassment seminars, changes in corporate positions). However, the strong cast of characters kept the show compelling.

This season, a lot of what I once loved about The Office is missing.

The will-they-or-won't-they relationship the whole world cheered for is still cute, but to quote Thursday's episode, "Did you ever consider you might not be as charming as you think you are?" The daycare man's inquiry is legitimate. Jim and Pam aren't nearly as endearing as they used to be, not because they're married now, but because their new positions have changed them. Jim as co-manager can't pull pranks on Dwight like he used to, and saleswoman Pam (still season 3's Fancy New Beesly) just isn't as much fun. Remember that Christmas gift Pam gave Jim that one year? Dwight's CIA mission? I miss those escapades.

I miss Amy Ryan as Holly, I miss Melora Hardin as sane Jan. I miss BJ Novak actually having screen time, and sane Ryan. I miss Kelly and Ryan together. I miss Toby, though I understand Paul Lieberstein not having enough time to write and act. All of this, plus the distance I feel between myself and the characters this season, makes for a less than pleasant viewing experience. Unwatchable even, in some cases (Scott's Tots anyone?).

Not to mention, paired with 30 Rock in the 9 o'clock hour (as well as Community and Parks and Recreation prior), The Office is easily the weaker of the two.

I thought The Office did an admirable job last season, thanks mostly to the inspired Michael Scott Paper Company and introduction of Holly Flax. Season five was the funniest since season two. This season I've just been let down.

It's an extremely popular show, and unlike a lot of the other shows I watch, I don't have to worry about it going off the air. I'll continue to watch for as long as the show goes on, and hopefully soon it will pick up again. Here's to hoping!

Things about Sabre:

• Erin and Andy are so sweet. I enjoy watching their frustrating courtship. Yet Alan Sepinwall's post brought to my attention the documentary format's continuity. The pair needs a little help from the camera guys!
• I hope this isn't David Wallace's last appearance (I doubt it is), though I'd hate to see him less and less sane in coming episodes. Another Jan, another Ryan.

Community - Romantic Expressionism, 2.15

"That's G, it's the most important chord. In my mind, it stands for God." -Vaughn, aka Micronipples

I think this episode was to get all the viewers back on track. Finally, we have some Jeff/Britta interaction that isn't forced sexual tension or annoying/flirtatious quips. Well, some quips, but it wouldn't be Community without them. My theory is the writers knew Jeff and Britta simply wasn't working in the beginning, but then this episode was written to fix all that.

When Seth Green's character Oz was introduced in season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, fans did not respond well to his attraction to Willow. Joss Whedon then wrote a simple fix to get the audience to fall in love with him - the honest, romantic scene with he and Willow in the car. Crisis averted! And this is what the Community writers did as well.

Jeff/Britta was forced upon us with mixed results. Another obstacle was (unknowingly?) presented in the episode Debate 101, when Jeff/Annie was first seen, and with gallons more chemistry than he and Britta ever had. But it was creepy, because Annie is 18 and Jeff is ten years older than that, give or take. Romantic Expressionism addressed these relationships and more in the context of the entire study group's dynamics.

I just about died laughing during what I think is the perfect scene: the group, sitting at their study table, at first arguing, and then all eyeing each other with different results. The group has so much chemistry. They don't even need a chubby, agile guy to round them out; they're perfect just the way they are.

Annie: What are you insinuating? I took that kiss for the team!

Jeff: What?! ...Yeah. That kiss wasn't for pleasure, it was strategic and joyless!

Annie: What?! ...Yeah.

Troy: You did get weirdly specific when you were describing Annie's body.

Jeff: More specific than the stuff you told me about Britta?

Britta & Annie: What?!

I could quote this episode endlessly! But I won't. Instead, some bullet points for you:

• Starburns screen time is always welcome.
• Lol'd when Vaughn smooshed Annie's ice cream on top of his cone and walked away.
• Troy trying to pick up women brings me much joy. I think I'm happy about him finally being attracted to Annie. I think. See, that's what this episode did to me! So much could be inferred from the eye contact everyone gave everyone else! Incestuous, like the cast of the Brady Bunch.
• Alison Brie is a tremendously talented actor. She was radiant when she listened to Vaughn sing to her! She is definitely my favorite.
• Ending an episode with a song = winning my heart. Truly and completely.
• Did you SEE that little smile Jeff gave Annie at the potential-sexual-partner-stare-off?! Noticeably longer than any of the other stares lasted. This relationship will be revisited, I'm sure of it.
• Lovely end shot watching the group depart in separate directions, and then panning over Vaughn spinning Annie around.

Parks and Recreation - Sweetums, 2.15

Of the four Thursday night NBC comedies this season, Parks and Recreation has been the most consistently strong. From Leslie's practice date, to Fred Armisen guest starring as a delegate from Venezuela, to the office hunting trip, the cast and crew has been on top of their game. I could gush on for hours about each character, each actor, each storyline. Parks and Rec is a comedy with so much heart it's easy to get attached to these citizens of Pawnee, Indiana.

Lackluster first season notwithstanding, I vote Parks and Rec for best comedy on TV today. And that's an understandably tough statement to make, with outstanding shows such as Better Off Ted and Community on (in BOT's case, perhaps currently off) the air. Questlove of The Roots got it right when he tweeted that Parks and Recreation is like the Wu-Tang Clan of comedy. The cast is flawless. Ron F****** Swanson/Nick Offerman is a beast. April Ludgate's poker face is gold (and Aubrey Plaza is gorgeous). Tom Haverford/Aziz Ansari is hilarious yet heartbreaking with his Wendy dilemma. Rashida Jones and Paul Schneider work well together as the straight couple, yet have proved to be good comic actors as well (see Ann helping Leslie through a Hell date in Practice Date). Andy Dwyer/Chris Pratt is funny with the right amount of clueless. Leslie Knope is dedicated and caring, and decidedly NOT Michael Scott, which is one of the show's principle strengths; Mike Schur & co. made the right decision, and it paid off.

In short, the cast is extraordinary. They can pull off physical humor (Andy jumping into the pit, Ron trying to eat a hamburger with a hernia) as well as more subtle comedy (the looks April gives the camera a la Jim Halpert, albeit with more teenage girl derision). And because some of them come from improv backgrounds, the scenes where the actors are given the chance to improvise are some of the show's funniest. See: Leslie's woman-excuses for shooting Ron in Hunting Trip.

Anyway, Sweetums:

• Loved Leslie's "Look how healthy they are, they're all wearing vests!" line, along with wholesome American Dakota, Denver, and Shoelace.
• April/April's gay boyfriend/April's gay boyfriend's boyfriend/Andy love quadrangle is hilarious. Hope they make more appearances soon. "You know, for a gay couple, you guys are being really gay." -April
• Leslie Knope is one of my heroes. I decided this during the Christmas episode when she told Dave she couldn't leave Pawnee. I love that she and Ann stand up for what they believe in.
• Since Tom has pretty much fully moved out, I wonder if and when he will ever tell Wendy his feelings. I anticipate a Ron/Wendy/Tom triangle in the near future.
• DJ ROOMBA. Why has no one thought of this before. In the episode's tag, after Jerry steps on it: "This is the ghost of DJ Roomba. Why did you kill me? I'm gonna haunt you, Jerry. I'm gonna follow you and I'm gonna play the Black Eyed Peas in a looooop!" -DJ Roomba
• "I call this turf-and-turf." -Ron Swanson

Fringe - Jacksonville, 2.15

Hooray for mythology!

I can't believe we're already fifteen episodes into the second season. It seems like much fewer, because the vast majority of the aired episodes have been case/monster/disturbing spectacle-of-the-week, which I usually have no problem with on any show I watch. The X-Files, in particular, had very strong MOTW episodes that rivaled its myth-arc ones in terms of both plot and craft. Fringe, on the other hand, struggles with stories that are not tied to the Pattern and/or alternate universes. In my opinion:

The Observer, Leonard Nimoy, shape-shifters = A compelling Fringe episode.

Small towns with suspicious characters, science experiments gone wrong = Not as much.

So, Thursday's episode made me pretty happy. Not only did it have the outrageously disgusting details I love so much (man from alternate universe has his head in his chest. Awesome!), it finally directly addressed Peter's otherworldliness. Viewers knew he was from the other side from the season one finale, but now a character other than Walter or William Bell knows as well. We'll have to wait until April 1 to see if Olivia honors Walter's request to not tell Peter his secret. Or maybe the next week, because the series' return looks to be a mostly flashback episode.

Other things:

• The combination to the school in Jacksonville, 05-20-10, is the date of the season finale.
• Anna Torv is great with kids (the little Observer from season one's Inner Child, Ella, etc?) so it was nice to see her with her mini-me, who was super adorable.
• I loved the composition of the shot of Olivia, crouching in the corner of the room she burned when she was younger, as Peter walked in. (Holy sentence structure!)
• Peter and Olivia's almost-kiss, hmm. Certainly reminiscent of a believer and a skeptic interrupted by a genetically-altered bee. Except with less spark. I know JJ & co. are trying to make Peter/Olivia work, but I don't know if I'm in favor of it.
• Any ideas why the alternate universe's Manhatan is spelled with one T? And why coffee seems to be a luxury?