TV Season Recap Podcast Adventure!

Ashitakas Angels Podcast #3 - Ashitakas Angels

Long time no podcast, dear readers. That's right, Mind Grapes and I decided to do another podcast. This time around, we decided to do a sweeping season recap! Exciting, I know. We basically talk about all the shows we watched (in part or in total) and give our general impressions (plus bonus haikus! yay!). Just be warned, it's a long one. So, do whatever you need to do to settle yourselves in...grab your favorite beverage, pick your favorite chair, etc., and let the beautiful yet (hopefully) entertaining chaos that is an Ashitaka's Angels podcast overtake you.

ETA: Please ignore the random musical interlude around the 4 minute mark. Don't really know what happened there. Oh yeah...we're professional.

Finale Roundup, Part 1

*I thought I'd do a roundup for some finales that have aired recently. I didn't have strong enough opinions about any of these episodes to write full posts about them, so I'm collecting some of my thoughts about them here.

Chuck 2.22 "Chuck Versus the Ring"-
Single greatest scene of the finale: Jeffster. Mr. Roboto. Indian lesbian. Epic.
I actually think I may have liked "Chuck Versus the Colonel" better than this episode, but I still loved this episode a whole lot. I LOVED the end. Loved it SO much. And if we don't get another season, I may have to protest NBC forever.

Dollhouse 1.12 "Omega"-
Meh. I wanted to like this. I really really did, but man did that disappoint me. The best thing, by far, was Alan Tudyk's amazing performance, but where was the 'wow' factor? Where were the thrills? This was kind of boring. And while stuff happened in it, nothing really changed. Echo is still Echo (and why the heck would Omega want to become Echo again?). Not to mention we had to go through the whole episode hearing about how great and special and wonderful Echo/Caroline is with no real explanation as to why she was so special. Blech. I'll probably watch it next season, but I really would not be sad if this show got canceled.

House 5.24 "Both Sides Now"-
Oh I love it when House does its trippy finales. Some of my favorite episodes of television ever have been two of House's trippy finales, "No Reason" and "House's Head". While I didn't like this episode quite as much as those two, I still loved that it screwed with us in the end. House has been so hit or miss for me this season, but this episode I thought was fantastic, mostly because of that freaky realization (the direction for that scene was brilliant as well). House going into the mental institute was intriguing, but at the same time, this show constantly pulls these sorts of storylines that seem to be huge changing points for the series, but ultimately lead nowhere. Methinks that's what's going to happen with the mental institute storyline as well, but I'm still excited to see where it takes us anyways. I'm just happy I finally like this show again!

House 5.20 "Simple Explanation"

Kutner is dead? KUTNER IS DEAD?! That was...completely and totally unexpected. What is with this show? Why does it kill off/not give enough screentime to all of its good characters, but keep the annoying ones coughforemanandthirteencough. I don't normally write about House, mostly because I don't really care too much about the show anymore. There have been episodes I've missed this season that I haven't bothered to go back and watch (including last weeks, which I'm hoping wasn't extremely important in relation to what happened this week). I decided to watch this week's however, because it was supposed to be a huge "event" episode.

On a more serious note though, this was a really really strong episode because it felt real. The whole episode I was expecting them to answer why Kutner killed himself. I was waiting for it, but more importantly I wanted to know. Much like House, I needed to know. But like it so often happens in real life, sometimes when people commit suicide their loved ones are left with no answers. They will never know why someone did it. And this episode left the audience feeling that as well. I felt so empty and lost by the end of the episode, much like the characters did. I really really liked seeing House being so emotional over what happened, and trying to find out why, not because he needed all the answers, but because he really did care about Kutner. And Taub's break down in the end was well played seeing as how as far as I can remember, him and Kutner were the closest.

I'm still kind of reeling over this episode, and I feel absolutely terrible since I really liked the character of Kutner a lot. Really really powerful stuff, and I think that House handled it well, but I still can't help thinking "Why?"

It's been such a long time...

I feel really bad about not writing on the blog for as long as I have, but school lately has been kicking my ass. This is the first time I'm able to finally sit down and have a go at the blogging for a long time.  Because of this, this post is going to be a roundup of all the things I've wanted to talk about the past 2 weeks, but haven't been able to because of being busy.

Things That Are Happy Making:

• Adam Baldwin as agent John Casey on Chuck.  I love Chuck.  I think it's a really funny, cute, clever little show that more people should watch.  But my absolute favorite part of the show?  Casey.  Adam Baldwin can say more in Casey's signature "grunts" than most actors can say in words.  This is my favorite Chuck scene, by the way.
• The last episode of Fringe was by the far the best episode of the whole show.  I like Fringe, but I normally don't really pay that much attention to it while I watch, but this episode had me on the edge of my seat.  I was actually really upset that we have to wait until January for the new episodes.  Walter and Peter are still the best parts of this show, and I find that their relationship is really interesting and kind of sweet (in a twisted sort of way).  Ya'll need to become acquainted with Walter.  He's a riot!
• Speaking of best episodes of television shows, the True Blood finale.  Fantastic.  Normally for me, this show is a mixture of cheesy badness and sort of goodness, but the finale was all goodness.  Sam and Tara are still my favorites, and I can't wait to find out what's up with Admiral Cain.  (I really hope Lafayette's not dead though!).  For the lols: Sookie...can you feel my influence?
• The oldest ever Lolcat!  From 1905!  And it still can't get a cheezburger!  Words cannot describe how awesome this is.
• HBO has bought the rights to turn the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series by George R R Martin into a television series!  I love these books!  I just finished "A Clash of Kings" and I'm already on to "A Storm of Swords".  If they do it right, this show is going to be awesome!  Tricia Helfer for Cersei!
• New promo for season 2 of Flight of the Conchords:

• Twilight in Fifteen Minutes: SAY MY NAME, BITCH!  Also, OMG LEIK HI MAH NAME IS ISABELLA SWAN.  Plus, OMG EDWARD IM SO BORED IM SERIOUSLY GOING TO DIE OMG.  The Twilight fandom can be pretty amazing sometimes.
• I don't know guys, I may be more excited for Lost to return than Battlestar Galactica.  I don't know what's wrong with me, but I've been on such a Lost kick lately.  I can't wait until the DVDs come out!  New season 5 promo pic.
• Now, this doesn't mean I'm not excited for Battlestar.  Oh my freaking god am I excited for Battlestar!  Here's the new promo for the season:
• OMG ADAMA IN THE AIRLOCK, WHAT?  Here's a mysterious website with mysterious clues for the upcoming season: You will know the truth.  These last episodes are going to be epic.
• Prince Caspian on DVD.  For Narniaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
• The Killers' and Kanye West's new CDs.  Music is good too, people!
• Hugh Jackman in Australia.  Rugged...

Things That Are Sad Making:

• So, I knew I would have to mention this sooner or later, but Pushing Daisies has been cancelled.  I think I felt like if I didn't mention it, it would make it not true, but alas.  This is especially hard because the last few episodes have just been amazingly good.  Our drunk, Twilight-watching friend, The Derelict, has a wonderful rant about the subject here. 
• Heroes.  This is the stupidest show on TV at the moment and I can't believe I keep subjecting myself to it every week.  I liked this show during the first season.  I didn't love it by any means, and I always felt like people praised it way more than it deserved (I love this article: News Flash: Heroes Was Always Bad), but I enjoyed it nonetheless, mostly because it was something new and fresh and exciting and I really liked some of the characters (Ando! Nathan!).  Now that all the newness has worn off however, it's just...bad.  And it gets my blood boiling more than any other show.  This show has crappy dialogue, annoying characters, horrible acting, inconsistent characterization, and totally indiscernible plots.  And don't even get me started on what the show has done to Sylar.  That, my friends, is the worst crime of them all.  It's gotten so bad, I was happy that Elle got killed off so Kristin Bell can be free of this crappy show.  Fly away, Kristin Bell!  Fly away, to bigger and better things (like a Veronica Mars movie).  And yet, I keep watching out of some sick hope that maybe it will get better (or for the fact that it comes on after Chuck so I just leave the TV on out of habit).  I can't wait until 24 comes back in January so I will have no choice but to stop watching.
• House.  Why?  Why do the writer's love Thirteen so much? WHY?!  You know, I didn't hate Thirteen when she was first introduced, but the fact that she is shoved down our throats constantly every single week has made me LOATHE her.  She has freaking more screen time than House for gosh sakes!  Her character isn't even that interesting, and Olivia Wilde isn't even that great of an actress!  So why do the writers insist on giving her so many story lines? She makes me miss Cameron....and I used to hate Cameron!  I know this sounds silly, but Thirteen is ruining this show for me.  I was way more interested in this week's episode of Fringe than I was House.  And that makes me sad, because House was a show I used to consider a favorite, and now I barely care about it.  Go DIAF, Thirteen!  Even professional television critics agree with me!
• The saxophone.  Tis the devil's instrument.

You see, I'm not the only crazy one...

Even TV Guide can't deny the epic bromance that is House/Wilson:

Hee!

Source

Speaking of bromance, I have one thing to say about Heroes last night, (SPOILERS!)  if Hiro really killed Ando, I am done with this show.  Done.  I lost the majority of my love for it last season so this would be the last straw.  Not only would it be killing off my favorite character, but it would completely destroy Hiro's character and I could never be sympathetic towards him again.  Please make it not be real!

9/29-10/2 Weekly Television Recap

Chuck-  Another reason why this show is so great?  They used a Flight of the Conchords song this episode.  Awesome!  As for the episode itself?  I thought it was really good.  Pretty much the same as what I come to expect from this show.  My favorite part of any episode is still Casey though (and he totally loves Chuck! Aw!).

Heroes-  I liked this episode better than last weeks overstuffed premiere.  I thought a lot of the story lines were pretty interesting.  Except Claire's.  Girl is REALLY starting to bother me.  The bank story line was OK, however I absolutely HATE what they're doing with Sylar.  If they make him at all sympathetic or try to redeem him in any way I am going to be so pissed.  I like Sylar because he's just straight up bad ass evil!  Not because he's this morally complex character!  Save evil-Sylar!

House-  I was really happy we got to learn about Taub this week instead of having Thirteen shoved down our throats like most weeks.  I actually liked his story line involving his wife too, and hope that they stay together because they both seem pretty cool (his wife was way prettier than him though).  This was probably the best episode of the season so far.  Jury's still out on the private investigator, but I thought it was cool that he found out Cuddy went to Michigan.  Shout out!

Fringe-  Walter is still the best thing about this show.  Everything he says is hilarious.  Root beer float, heh.  The lead actress still bugs which is disappointing.  Although the writing for her isn't really doing much help--Olivia is kind of a boring character.  Creepy bald guy is creepy, and I like that they've added a new mysterious villain (or is he?) to the show.  I didn't think this week's case was as good as some of the other weeks, but it seemed as though the episode was more for learning about Walter, having Peter buy into the program, and exploring the father/son relationship between the two.  Something which I'm surprisingly interested in knowing more about.  I like those two's dynamic.

Pushing Daisies- THIS SHOW IS THE MOST WONDERFUL SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF SHOWS!!!!!  I spent the entire episode with a giant grin on my face.  It is just AMAZING!  "He's stalking you" = greatest Emerson line ever, and if Lee Pace gets any adorabler I won't be able to stand it!  I LOVE THIS SHOW!

Project Runway- Wow, dudes, that was intense.  One of the most intense runway shows I've ever seen!  With the tears and the yelling and the insults.  Wonderful!  I'm a little ticked off however that Kenley wasn't eliminated.  It was so obvious that hers was the worst outfit, yet the producers want to up the drama by having someone get eliminated next episode.  Whatever.  I'm just hoping Jerell makes it to the final 3, because he's just so awesome!

Supernatural-   Mary was a hunter WTF?!  This was an awesome, awesome origin episode.  So many things were explained and in a totally meaningful way that made sense.  I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, what with Sam being absent pretty much the entire episode, but it was...amazing.  And tragic!  It was so sad to see that Mary didn't want her children to grow up like she did.  And seeing John when he was young and cute and sweet and nothing like the hardened and bitter man we met in season one totally broke my heart.  Add that to the extremely brutal way in which Mary's parents were killed, and this was one depressing episode.  It also added a ton of questions to the mythology.  It really excites me that the yellow-eyed demon's endgame is still in effect, AND the forces of good are concerned for what's happening to Sam.  Is there a Sam vs. Dean showdown in our future? Probably.  And I'm not sure whether that makes me excited or breaks my heart.  I think both, heh.

My pick for favorite episode of the week:  Pushing Daisies!!! With Supernatural at a very close second.

OMG IT'S RENESMEE!

I had to mention this for Zozizzle and Good Grief:

On tonight's Fringe, the episode started out with a woman who all of a sudden got pregnant with a baby that GREW UNNATURALLY FAST, and thus KILLED THE MOTHER FROM THE INSIDE, which then had to be CUT OUT OF THE WOMAN'S STOMACH!

So apparently, in the world of Fringe, half human/half vampire mutant demon babies do exist!

Be afraid.  Be very afraid... (Whatever you do, don't imprint on it Good Grief!)

In more 'on topic' news, I thought this episode was really really good, better than the Pilot.    Although, if the show is going to keep up it's extreme gross out factor, I don't know how much more I can take, because 'ew'.  Even so, I think I may have liked it better than House!  Especially with House's depressing ending, which went a little like this:

Wilson (to House):  "We're not friends anymore..."

Me:  "We're lovers!"

Wilson:  "...and I'm not sure we ever were."

Me: :(

Don't fight, you guys!  It makes me sad, remember?

House premiers tonight!

 epic love

What I hope to see from House this season:

• More Chase!  I missed him last season.
• Less Thirteen!  She's the less interesting, more annoying version of Cameron.
• House/Cuddy!  Because I know the show will never conceivably go for House/Wilson, as much as I really really want it to.  So if I can't get the epic romance that is 'Gregory House and the Oncologist who loves him', then I'll have to make due with the love/hate relationship of House/Cuddy.  At least it's better than House/Cameron, or *shudder* House/Thirteen.
• No prolonged breakups for House and Wilson!  I don't want them to be fighting for too long over what happened at the end of last season.  It makes me sad to see them fight.
• Some kind of resolution to Chase/Cameron.  They hardly mentioned that relationship last season and so I was always kind of confused about whether they were together or not.
• More Kutner!  For he was my favorite of the new additions last season.
• Less Foreman!  Or at least a more likeable Foreman.  I haven't actively liked Foreman since season 1.  In fact, I'd say that I kind of hated him in season 3.
• An all around better season.  If you couldn't already tell, I didn't really like season 4 that much.  So I'm hoping things will get better this time around!

Also on tonight?  Fringe!  Let's see if this is a show worth following.

TRAP!

As I was lounging around today, partaking in the viewing pleasure of the marvelous extras on my shiny new The Office Season 4 DVD Box Set, I came to a realization that my favorite extras on any DVD set are the gag reels.  I think it's because I'm interested in television and production, and therefore find it cool to see a sort of behind-the-scenes look of the show.  Of course, it's easy to love television gag reels, what with The Office DVDs having epic, 22 minute long gag reels that are many times as funny as the episodes themselves.  But when I thought about it, quite a few of my other favorite TV shows have AMAZING gag reels as well.  So great that I was inspired to make a post about them!  

The Office Season 3 Gag Reel:

Ok, so I couldn't actually find the entire season 3 gag reel on YouTube, but I did find this short Jim/Pam season 3 blooper that I love.  All of The Office gag reels are amazing, but there's something about season 3's that are so funny.  I think it's the Ed Helms factor.

House Season 2 Gag Reel

I'm actually surprised at how funny I find the House gag reels.  I like season 2's the best probably because of the Chase/House argument scene. :)

Supernatural Season 1 Gag Reel

All of Supernatural's gag reels are AMAZING!  So amazing that I really could have posted season 2 or season 3's and totally felt good about it.  I think they're so great because Jared and Jensen are extremely funny and natural together, which makes for hilarious hijinks.

Serenity Gag Reel

So this is cheating a little, because Serenity isn't a TV show, it's just based off of a TV show.  But while Firefly's gag reel is hilarious (especially the panning shot that Nathan Fillion keeps popping up in), the Serenity gag reel is probably the greatest I've ever seen before in my entire life.  There's a reason why I saved the best for last, and why it's the basis for the title of this post.  It's all because of Nathan Fillion too.  God, I love that man.