this is a post

A post where I post things. It's been since January since I last made a post of my own. So here's some of the things I've missed posting about or just have on my mind:

True Blood Season 5

• Yes, this is still a thing that I watch. 
• Yes, it's still as trashy and ridiculous and as not good as ever.
• Yes, I still kind of enjoy it for its trashy ridiculousness and cheesy badness.
• I think this season was better than season 4? Most of the seasons kind of run together for me at this point, but the main storyline with the Authority was pretty interesting and I even kind of liked the faerie stuff for once.
• I've come to the realization that Jason Stackhouse is the only character on this show that is always enjoyable and wonderful even if his storyline is horrible. Not that Jason's storyline was horrible this season (I can't even really tell you what his storyline was, tbh. Something about visions of his dead parents), but there are some characters who crumble under the weight of shitty writing (Tara and Sam come to mind). But not Jason. If he was just in every scene ever that would be fine with me. Seriously, gosh I love Jason.
• Speaking of Jason, the resolution of the Hoyt/Jessica/Jason storyline was the absolute best part of the season and one of the very few times I can remember True Blood ever making me cry! I've been really pissed at this show for what it did to Hoyt and Hoyt/Jessica, but the resolution was so beautiful and heartbreaking and if Hoyt/Jessica wasn't going to be endgame, than this is the perfect way to end it. Way to surprise me, True Blood!
• This is the most I think I've ever liked Sookie. Mostly because she didn't have a lot to do. Except get drunk and complain about her life. Which was kind of hilarious.
• Vampire!Tara was better than I expected, but Pam is starting to annoy me.
• THAT ENDING WAS SO RIDICULOUS WTF BEEL?! W T F.

The Legend of Korra

• Why do I do everything out of order all of the time?!
• I still haven't finished watching Avatar, but I watched this show because I was bored one Saturday morning.
• I liked it a lot! The animation style is gorgeous and the characters were really fun! Also, the action scenes were kind of incredible.
• I can't compare it to Avatar too much since I've only seen the 1st season of that show, but I liked how the characters in Korra are more grown-up. As such, the storylines seemed more sophisticated, especially with all of the politics revolving around the benders vs. non-benders.
• The look and feel of Republic City reminded me a lot of Fullmetal Alchemist.
• I have to say though, the finale was kind of disappointing. Hated how easily things got resolved for Korra.
• Bolin is definitely the best character.

 Game of Thrones Season 2

• Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
• I can't believe I didn't post about this season at all this year! Besides Breaking Bad, it was probably my favorite tv thing I experienced.
• I'm not going to say this season was better than season 1.  I think season 1 had the benefit of a more linear story to tell, so the episodes fit and ~flowed better than this season. But at the same time, I think season 2 was a lot more confident in its storytelling and was able to delve into the characters in more interesting ways.
• Season 2 definitely had more divergence from the book than season 1, but it was still quite faithful. There are a few changes here and there where I was wondering what they were thinking, but for the most part, I think they did a good job at the adaptation.
• And Clash of Kings is kind of a transition book anyways, so if some of the storylines were boring or didn't go anywhere, well...they were probably boring and didn't go anywhere in the book too (See: Daenerys Targaryen).
• Fucking hell, but I hated Theon so much in the book when I read it, but good lord, did they do a fantastic job on his storyline this season. You understood him so much more in the show and I genuinely felt badly for him on numerous occasions. Kudos to Alfie Allen and the writing for giving Theon so many more layers than I ever thought. Just thinking about his conversation with Maester Luwin in the last episode makes me want to cry.
• Speaking of Maester Luwin, his death and Ser Rodrik's probably affected me more than any death on the show thus far. Why are these minor characters making me love them so much?! I pretty much openly wept at Rodrik's execution (I'll never forget you Beard Burns!) and forlornly shouted 'noooooooooo' at the screen while Luwin was dying. Although maybe I was so affected because I can't handle seeing my little Bran-Flakes and Rickon-King upset (holy crap y'all, Rickon has lines! And that little actor is actually acting! And doing a really good job! Future King of Westeros!).
• All of the new actors were phenomenal. How amazing were Davos, Melisandre, and Stannis?! Every time Davos was onscreen, I think I screamed from joy.
• Every time Jorah has said 'Khaleesi' on the show.
• No lie, ever since the show was first announced, the thing I've most been looking forward to seeing onscreen is Jaime's storyline with Brienne from Book 3. And it's here! It's already here!!! And it's so perfect I could cry! In fact, I believe I did cry whilst watching the first scene they had together. He was being so mean to her!! It was so beautiful! :')
• LOOK AT ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL SEASON 3 CASTING! The Reeds, you guys! THE MOTHERFUCKIN REEDS! And Blackfish!!!!!!!

Mad Men Season 5

• I'm gonna be honest, I don't really remember a lot of individual things about this season.
• I do remember being kind of disappointed by it though?
• Maybe disappointed isn't the right word. I think I might just be losing my interest in it a bit.
• Because most critics are calling this the Best. Season. Ever. And I don't see it? 
• It was very good, don't get me wrong. Still one of the best things on tv, but eh...I think I miss Betty too much. And there was just too much Megan!
• I miss not feeling guilty about loving Pete. 
• I was reading through some of my old Mad Men posts and I was struck by just how much joy Pete brought to me. Even when he was acting slimy, I still found everything about him so utterly enjoyable. 
• It was HARD being a Pete fan this year. I still love him, but man, I was pretty disappointed with all of his choices.
• I realize that this is a very specific issue that probably only I have.
• The best (and probably worst) thing to come out of this season of Mad Men:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXoILGnHnvM.
• Actually, years from now I'm pretty sure that's the only thing I'm going to remember about this season of Mad Men.

Downton Abbey

• Here's a preview for season 3
• Season 2 of Downton Abbey was.....ridiculous!
• Sometimes in a good way, often times in a bad way.
• Mary/Matthew was still wonderful though.

Breaking Bad Season 5.1

• Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
• 'Whee' is probably not the right reaction to this show, but ahh I can't help it, I love it so much!
• This was the first season of the show I got to watch 'live' and it was awesome yet painful having to wait weeks between episodes.
• I loved the first half of Season 5. Absolutely loved it.
• I do think it started off a bit slow. But I think that's par for the course with this show.
• I think those early episodes work though because they felt like they were all leading up to that moment where Todd shoots that poor kid. Everything seemed to fall apart after that happened.
• And what a moment that was! I was so preoccupied with the train heist (which was awesome, btw) that I had completely forgotten about the kid on the motorbike from the opening scene. And then...
• The last 3 episodes of the season were amazeballs. It was kind of similar to season 4 for me, where the first part of the season was good, but kind of slow, but as soon as we got to the last 5 or so episodes it became truly amazing.
• This season further cemented my hatred of Walter White. I've hated him for a while, but seeing him in full Heisenberg mode made me loathe him. He's still a fascinating character and I love watching him on the show, but I really know that I can never root for him again (even though I pretty much knew that since the end of season 2).
• And a lot of that had to do with him killing Mike. Who was a character I always really enjoyed. Mostly because he was always so grumpy! But I felt like we got a lot of good Mike stuff this season and I really liked the relationship he had been building up with Jesse since season 4. I had a feeling something bad was going to happen, but I was still shocked at the reactionary way Walt killed him. Mike did end up getting a great last line though.
• If there's one thing I do think this season was missing was more Jesse-focus. Of course I'm always going to want more Jesse since he's my favorite. But I feel like in every season we are right there in Jesse's head along with Walt's and this time, we didn't get that as much. Or maybe I didn't like the direction Jesse was going in - obediently following all of Walt's plans to further the business. I think that's why I really loved the last 3 episodes because we got a little more from Jesse and what he was going through. We saw the toll the murder of the little boy was taking on him, and his ultimate decision to quit the business made me so proud of him! All of his scenes with Walt in the last 3 episodes were brilliant (and occasionally hilarious like that scene with the Whites at dinner), especially their fight in "Say My Name". Jesse is the one character I most want to be happy at the end of this crazy mess, but his life has been just one big tragedy and I'm afraid it's going to end that way.
• I love the notion that Hank is really the hero of the show, so the last scene of the mid-season finale was awesome! I think I was expecting Hank to find out in a "bigger" way, but that's why it was so great. It was very unexpected. I can't wait to see what will come of it!
• To end I'll start at the beginning. With a Walt with hair celebrating his 52nd birthday and buying a gun to do, well, we don't know exactly! But I love this glimpse into the future and I love that Breaking Bad is still taking risks in its 5th season. 
• Basically I just really love this show!

Mad Men and True Blood: Bizarro world

In what alternate reality am I living in that Mad Men has a crazier episode than True Blood?!

Ok, ok, so Sam turning into a giant white bull and stabbing a Maenad with his horn, thus removing her heart and killing her is crazier than anything that happened on Mad Men, but I was certainly more surprised while watching the 4th episode of Mad Men, "The Fog", than watching the finale of True Blood.

I really did enjoy both episodes immensely though. Some thoughts:

True Blood

• The first half hour of this episode was awesome! It was crazy and scary and freaky and exactly what I want True Blood to be. The second half however...I understand wanting to have resolution, but there was a little too much resolution for my tastes. And some cliffhangers I didn't really care about.

• Some cliffhangers I do care about: Sam and his quest to find his real parents. I love Sam so much it's kind of ridiculous. I love that he's getting his own storyline again. Very intriguing. Also, Jessica/Hoyt. I do love them together. And the fact that they are having problems now makes me sad. Hoyt's mom is stupid, btw.

• Cliffhangers I don't care about: Bill. IDK, It's not just that I don't really like Bill, I just didn't really like the way the episode ended. Bill was gone and I kind of just sat there and went, "Oh...Ok". It was kind of anticlimactic or something. IDK it's hard to explain. I know he'll be fine next season anyways.

• There was about 1 minute there where I thought the show killed off Sam and I screamed and despaired and vowed to never watch again. I never thought I would say this, but thank you Bill Compton!

• There was a disturbing lack of Eric in this episode.
  

• I thought Jason shooting Eggs was kind of...dumb. The way that scene was shot was not good. LOL at me totally forgetting that Tara used to be in love with Jason though. According to this interview with Alan Ball done after the finale, this could potentially bring them back together.

• Yep, still in love with Michelle Forbes.

• And...yeah, still in love with Jason Stackhouse :D

Mad Men

• FUCK YEAH, DREAM SEQUENCES! I mean....what? That was some heavy stuff going on right there...and I loved it. I don't pretend to know what the hell I'm talking about when it comes to this show, but I felt like a lot of it was setting up Betty to accept her role in life. Betty is so unhappy all the time because she can't get what she wants. But this episode did seem to imply that Betty believed that the new baby was going to make everything better. She could accept her role as a housewife and take care of the baby and everything was going to be OK. Of course, by the end of the episode, we see that's probably not the case.
  

• "I left my lunch pail on the bus and I'm having a baby." Best line on this show ever yes/yes?

• LOVED the scene with Peggy and Don in his office. That little scene said so much about both of them and where the show might be headed and both of those actors are so good and...this show is the greatest show on television right now. Fo real.
  

• I enjoyed Duck's turtleneck.

• Let's talk about Pete. No, I cannot talk about Pete. Because to talk about Pete would be to flail around and keysmash incoherently. That is how great my love for him is. I just...Just...No, can't do it. My love for him cannot be textually rendered.
  

• And once again, Alan Sepinwall says it way better than I ever could.

I will miss you True Blood, but YAY more Mad Men! I think this might have been the best episode of the season so far.

True Blood finale tonight!

Apologies for not writing about the last episode. I did enjoy it. It was suitably trashy for my tastes :)

Finale tonight! And yes, I am excited. Do you know why? Because I have discovered watching the second season, that you really can't take this show seriously. It's cheesy, it's campy, it's trashy, but most importantly, it's fun! I had such a problem with the first season, because I kept looking at all it's flaws and going "No! Look! The writing on this show is so clunky! Why does everyone keep fawning over it?!" But you just have to let that all go when you watch this show. Drool over Eric, laugh at Jason, flail around at the gore, make fun of Bill's accent...just don't think you're going to get anything too profound out of it.

Mo Ryan from the Chicago Tribune pretty much said the exact same thing I was thinking in her review of the second season. Especially this:

"True Blood" works best a suspenseful beach read come to vivid, southern Gothic life. It's not about vampires as metaphors, it's about calling your friends and exclaiming, "Oh man, how are they going to top that scene where the possessed minions of the Maryann the Maenad ate the human heart that had been chopped up and put inside a souffle?"

"True Blood" is a show that mostly defies analysis, intellectual probing and the search for subtext. As Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) put it, "The time for thinking is over." Exactly.

Every Sunday night, it's a chance to turn off your brain and enjoy a show that jams four or five episodes' worth of incident, plot and jaw-dropping moments into 50 minutes.

Yes. Just...yes. That. (LOL at the comments on that article though. No, I'm sorry, there is nothing about True Blood that could be described as "subtle writing").

So, True Blood. Tonight. 9 o'clock. HBO. Get excited.

True Blood 2.10 "New World In My View"

How is True Blood good now? I don't...understand. Because I am genuinely enjoying every single episode this season, and this one was no exception. It was really funny and creepy and brought forth a ton of new mysteries and...I'm excited. Only two more episodes left!

For this post however, let's all bask in the wonderfulness that is Jason Stackhouse. My love for him...my undying love. It is...undying. He is so amazing in every way. Not only is the boy GORGEOUS, but he's consistently one of the funniest characters on this show, AND he's adorable, AND he saved my other favorite character, Sam. I want to love you, pretty young thing (it's 3 in the morning...I don't know what I'm saying anymore).

Jason!

incoherent ramblings for a sunday night of television

maybe I'll write coherently tomorrow, but today is not that day

True Blood 2.09 "I Will Rise Up"-
What is with the boring tonight, True Blood? Nothing happened in this episode until the very end. Except Eric. Eric happened. Oh, how Eric happened. I've always really liked the guy, but now? Now...I am full blown obsessively in love with him. He's hot, he's way better with Sookie than Bill, and he cried! He fucking cried at the end. He was in love with Godric! It was so strange to see him so vulnerable at the end. The man was bull blown weeping, and I was getting super emotional over the whole thing. I'll miss Godric too. Miss him A LOT (note to The Derelict, Godric is the potential actor playing Robb or Theon. He was killed off of True Blood this episode, which means his schedule is now open!). That was the only thing worthwhile this episode, since I'm choosing to ignore the creepy Sookie/Jason incestual conversation. What was up with that? Also, Sam needs to be in the episodes more.

Mad Men 3.01 "Out of Town"-
SAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! SAL! OMG SAL *cries* Poor poor Sal. He has always been one of my favorite characters. I cried for him in that season 2 episode when he realized he had a crush on Ken (and who doesn't? He was fantastic this episode), and I was so so happy when that (extremely forward) bellman started kissing him. At that moment, I didn't care that Sal was married, I want him to be happy SO badly...and then it was all taken away. He breaks my heart. Best part of the episode for sure. As far as the rest goes, Don...just, why? And Pete. Oh Pete....I was watching this episode with 3 people who had never seen the show before and they all couldn't STAND Pete. When I told them I adored Pete, they were so confused, heh. I'm still pretty confused as to why I like him so much, but he's always been one of my favorites. Even when he was acting like a little whiny bitch this episode, I still loved him. Pete! Also, get down with your bad self, Peggy!

MAD MEN SEASON 3

Premiers tonight! At 10 o'clock on AMC.

I just finished watching Season 2 on DVD in the span of a week. As much as I would love to go into every last detail, I find that it's hard for me to form words when dealing with this show. So, I will say this, Mad Men is the greatest show I've ever seen. I don't flail over it, I don't fangirl over it, I'm not obsessed with it. Heck, I probably wouldn't even say it's my favorite show, but it is certainly the most well put together television show I've ever seen. It's like a piece of art. I can just sit there and admire how absolutely brilliant it is. I feel bad for all the people who have never watched.

The cast is also ridiculously gorgeous and awesome



















So excited for the True Blood/Mad Men double feature tonight! :D

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.

True Blood 2.08 "Timebomb"

So when did True Blood decide to be so awesome? Is it...is it actually good now? Because I just spent the entire episode clutching my seat and gasping and flailing around, heh. Of course, I could just be a crazy person, but damn, this show is getting better.

So I'm pretty sure I'm in love with Godric. He is awesome. So. Much. Love for him right now. I'm really digging his outlook, and I wish the other vampires would follow along, because really, the vampires on this show are extremely scary and not nice and people you really don't want to be around. I know there are nice vampires, and I love Eric beyond belief, but let's not forget what Eric did to Lafayette or what Lorena did to so many humans.

On the other side of course, Reverend 'Crazypants' Newlin is still crazy and horrible and then the end with Luke? Holy freaking crap. Not good. Fantastic cliffhanger, but not so good for Godric and the others. Can't we all just get along?!

Just want to appreciate the hotness of Eric for a second....















Sigh....I am grateful you are on this show.

What the hale is going on with Maryann? I like Maryann, I do, but this story line right now is kind of going nowhere. At least as far as all the stuff with Tara and Eggs and the rest of the town. I am still interested in the stuff with Sam, but...I'm a sucker for Sam. I just love the guy.

Poor Jessica. I cannot get over how much I love Jessica/Hoyt. Still. I know I say it every episode, but I'm still shocked at how much I'm loving that storyline.

Jason brings so much joy into my life. So. Much. Joy. It's hard to explain in words how wonderful Jason is. He's something you have to experience for yourself to fully understand, because there are so many things about him that are amazing. He's ridiculously hot, ridiculously adorable, and ridiculously stupid. And he makes me fall in love with him every time he's on screen. You guys...I think I have a thing for Jason.

So excited for next week, holy crap!

True Blood 2.07 "Release Me"

Not as good as last week's, but still pretty good (am I really saying that about True Blood?)

Oh great, another flashback with Lorena and Bill. Yawn. Ok, I guess it's sort of important information about Bill's back story, but....I don't care about Bill's back story, heh. Although I will say, Bill looks WAY better in his flashbacks than he does now. His hair is terrible.

Eric, Eric, Eric...sometimes you are the best part of this show. You hardly even did anything this episode, but every time you were on screen all I could think about was how this show would be way better if it was only about you.

God, Anna Paquin is a terrible actress. Just, what the hell? I don't get it.

Jessica/Hoyt might be my goddamn OTP for this show. Every time they were onscreen I just sat there with the biggest grin on my face. How could this show provide something so cute? They are the most precious things in the whole world.

Jason is so ridiculously adorable I can't even take it. Question though: did Sarah actually shoot him at the end? That scene was so weird. I don't understand why it was all slow motion with the dramatic music. It made it seem like it was a dream or something. I expected "Hide and Seek" to start playing any second (100 points to anyone who knows that reference).

Poor Daphne :(

What the fuck is going on with Maryann? So she's a Maenad. Ok, that's fine, but just, what the hell is going on with her and the rest of the town and Eggs and everything? I do like the story line a lot, I just feel like we haven't gotten too much information yet. This episode was the first time we really got anything substantial, but I'm still so confused. Poor Sam too.

Godric! That's Godric? He looks a lot different from his flashback. Why is he just walking around the basement? I thought he was supposed to be locked up? Did Godric and Eric have a thing? What the hell is going on?

Next week looks good...

True Blood 2.06 "Hard-Hearted Hannah"

Oh shi- things are finally starting to happen on this show! After a couple of weeks of boring, we're finally getting to the action. And I'm loving it! Give me the crazy, cheesy goodness please! I don't watch this show for the dialogue.

I knew there was something up with Daphne! I knew it! As soon as Andy recognized her as Maryann's pig I was like 'aw no, Sam'. Not gonna lie, the end of this episode almost made me crap my pants! Saaaaaaaam! I'm so scared. I actually think this was one of the most suspenseful parts of the whole series. I'm really really excited to see what happens with it next week. I knew Maryann and Daphne were up to no good!

I never thought I would feel sympathetic towards Sarah Newlin, but I liked that she wasn't as gung-ho about what her husband is doing as I originally thought. I still think her seducing Jason and doing him in the church is messed up beyond belief, but I'm just glad that she isn't as crazy as her husband.

Eric, Jason, and Eggs are extremely hot. Thank you, Show!

Another cheesy flashback! This show loves them! I loved last week's, but this one....Not only do I really not like Lorena and her horrible accent, but the scene with her and Bill having sex in all the blood was the most disturbing thing that I've ever seen on this show. And that's saying a lot, because there has been some disturbing shit on this show.

Jessica/Hoyt! Yay! I say this every week, but I freaking LOVE those two so much. They are so adorable and precious. I just want to hug Hoyt. What a good boyfriend he is. Sigh.

Sookie. Oh Sookie. I know there really wasn't anything she could have done, but their whole plan really wasn't set up that well. I have to hand it to the show though, the scene where Steve shows them the basement and Sookie and Hugo realize what's about to happen to them was really well done and suspenseful, and I'm excited to see where that leads. Do we assume that Godric's also in the basement?

Oh hey, orgy scene. That was extremely disturbing. Just another example of a time that I'm really really happy I wasn't watching this show with my little brother in the room, like I did a few weeks ago. Yeah...

Alright, True Blood! Keep it up!

True Blood 2.05 "Never Let Me Go"

I didn't write about last week's episode. Sorry about my life.

This week's episode was kind of boring. A little slow and lots of set-up, but still had some good stuff in there.

I do not care for Sookie/Bill. I've said this multiple times, but uh, yeah, they bore me. I kind of tuned out every time they had a lovey dovey scene together (which was a lot this episode). I was also extremely grateful they cut away from their love scene. Do not need anymore of that.

Jessica/Hoyt! Jessica/Hoyt! How are they so adorable? Why do I like them together so much? Yay!

Somehow Eric speaking Swedish makes him 10 times hotter.

Oh cheesy flashback scenes, how I love you. Actually, I really did love this scene a lot. Of course, I love me some Eric so I appreciated it regardless, but I'm very intrigued by this Godric fellow. Very intrigued. Hm...

So Sookie found another telepath and Sam found another shifter. What is the significance of all this? I like that Sam was so happy, but I do not trust Daphne for a minute. Girl is up to something.

Jason is hot.

I love Maryann. That is all.

True Blood 2.03 "Scratches"

Sorry I didn't post about last week's episode. I was busy. Also, I didn't like it as much as the premiere.

This episode:

Is Sookie the most insufferable heroine on television? I cannot stand her. And Anna Paquin is kind of a horrible actress. She won the Golden Globe? The fuck?

Is it just me or are all of the secondary characters more interesting than the majority of the main characters? Terry is awesome, but Hoyt....Oh god, Hoyt! I've always really liked Hoyt, but now I'm full blown in love with him! Could he be anymore perfect and adorable? I love Jessica/Hoyt too! I hope they keep it going!

Speaking of awesome secondary characters: Pam. What a fierce bitch. LOVE.

Jason is so dumb and adorable and I love him so fucking much! He's like this weird paradox in which he's really really hot, yet he acts like an 8 year old all the time. He's always been one of my favorites, but it just really struck me tonight how much I enjoy his presence on the show. I love him!

Michelle Forbes is really really beautiful.

Sam and the dog was SO cute!

Eric > Bill

For as much as I think this show is kind of bad, I sure do love a lot of things about it, heh.

True Blood 2.01 "Nothing But The Blood"

Rapid fire thoughts:

Ever since I heard about Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer dating, I find Sookie/Bill...creepy. Yeah.

Sam is still my favorite character. I think I have a thing for guys in plaid, IDK.

I love Tara. Love her. I didn't like her at first, but now she's probably my second fav. That actress is amazing!

I think I understand what's happening with Lafayette, and I have to say I'm glad it involves Eric because I missed him. Very glad Lafayette isn't dead too. Yay!

Michelle Forbes is awesome. Like, no words can describe how awesome she is. She has, hands down, the best story line on the show right now.

I love Hoyt.

Oh Jason. He's so dumb. But in a lovable, endearing kind of way. I've started to grow very fond of him.

This show is gross.

I used to find Jessica annoying, but now I find her hilarious.

It is still enjoyable to make fun of the way Bill says 'Sookie'.

Overall, I liked this episode. This show is still incredibly trashy and I would still describe it as my guilty pleasure, but....I do enjoy it so. Keep on keeping on, True Blood!

What now?

I have to admit to being a little depressed that the television season is "over". Yes, I know TV still airs during the summer, but it's not the same. American Idol was my last finale this year, and now I feel kind of...lost (I seriously got depressed today when I realized AI wasn't going to be on. I can't believe how much that show got to me this year). Not to say that there aren't shows on that I watch during the summer. I will probably be watching So You Think You Can Dance (not the audition shows though. Too much second hand embarrassment). Speaking of embarrassment, I will also be watching True Blood when the second season premiers June 14th. That show is SO trashy and kind of bad, but I can't help it, I can't stop watching it. Also, Project Runway comes back this summer, but we are going to have to wait until August for our Tim Gunn fix :(

Still, TV is my main "fandom" and I had a moment earlier when I thought, "now what am I going to talk about on the blog?" But then I realized that this blog was never supposed to be only about television! There are plenty of things floating around in mind grapes's mind grapes! So while TV will still be the main focus on the blog, you will start to get a broader variety of things that make me happy. I am planning on doing an end of the season recap post, where I talk about which show's had the overall best season, favorite episodes, best finale, etc. But I also will probably start talking more about the Red Wings as they get closer to the Stanley Cup finals, I'm already imagining multitudes of Kris Allen posts, and you're probably going to be hearing A LOT about the Harry Potter movie before and after it comes out. And who knows, you may even get some more podcasts!

I'm still new to this blogging thing, and half the time I still feel like I'm really only doing this for myself more than anyone else, but that's ok. Because it is extremely fun and I'm not going to quit anytime soon. I hope our dear readers continue to come along for the ride! What we lack in smarts and coherency, we make up for in randomness and fun!

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.

Everything always comes back to vampires

What is it with our pop culture's obsession with vampires?  It seems like lately I can't get away from them. Earlier this year, I was forced by a friend to watch Buffy and Angel.  I'm constantly (and against my will) bombarded with the Twilight phenomenon.  And now, I've got sucked into the new HBO show, True Blood.

True Blood explores what would happen if, in a world much like our own, vampires really existed and they exposed themselves to the world, and are now trying to integrate themselves with humans by drinking synthetic blood called Tru Blood.  The heart of True Blood however is the story of a naive waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, from a small town in Louisiana, who meets the handsome, brooding, Bill Compton, who's, you guessed it, a vampire.  It's mostly a love story between a human girl and the vampire who loves her, but because it's not TV, it's HBO, there's plenty of violence and sex to appease everybody!

The reason why I decided to do a post for True Blood is because I have very conflicting thoughts about it, and I had to put them out into the open.  On one hand, I've gotten totally sucked into this show.  I watched episodes 5-9 over the weekend, and am attempting to catch up on the first four episodes that I missed at the beginning (I'm on episode 3 at the moment).  On the other hand, I really don't think this show is that good, heh.  It's kind of cheesy and silly and the plots don't really go anywhere and the characters are all filled with cliches and stereotypes and are all kind of annoying.  Like, do we really need to see Jason have explicit sex every episode?  We get it, he's a slut.  While I do appreciate seeing Ryan Kwanten shirtless every episode, it's getting to the point where I just fast forward every time he has a scene, because it's like, been there, done that.  You can only shock me so many times, True Blood!  When dealing with the vampires, the show is also totally over the top.  That vampire staking in episode 9 was so ridiculous, it crossed over into being cartoony, instead of scary.

And yet...I still kind of love it.  It's funny because all of the reasons why I think it's a bad show can also be attributed to why I love it.  Like, the most cliched and stereotype filled character on the show is probably Sookie's best friend, Tara, yet Tara is just so bitchy and awesome that she's one of my favorite characters.  And sometimes the over the topness of it all is kind of amazing.  Like when Sookie ran through the cemetery in her long flowy white night gown before flinging herself into the arms of Bill and then having hot vampire sex.  That scene was so ridiculous it sort of turned around into being awesome (and hilarious).  And while they can all be kind of annoying, I really do love most of the characters.  I don't really like Sookie, but I enjoy Bill and his gentlemanly charm.  I love Sam, probably more than Bill, and I love that he's really a dog (or whatever is up with that, heh).  I also am greatly intrigued by Eric, I find Lafayette hilarious, and I even sort of like Jason, even though he's the biggest screw up ever.

A trailer for ya:

So, I guess the moral of the story is, I'm watching True Blood.  You should watch too if your into that sort of thing.  I do think it's a show that has lots of different aspects to appeal to all sorts of people: romance, horror, comedy, drama, gore, sex, etc.  Just maybe don't take it all that seriously.  I know I'm not, and I'm finding that I'm enjoying myself a lot more. :)

Last note about True Blood:  You may have noticed that the show has a lot of similarities to Stephenie Meyer's "book" series, Twilight.  What with the human girl falling for the vampire guy, and with one of them being able to read minds, but they can't read the other's mind, and the whole love triangle thing with a dog/wolf.  But don't let that fool you!  The mere fact that Bill doesn't sparkle gives True Blood the definitive edge, but it really is just a million times better than Twilight all around.  After I watched True Blood the first time, I breathed a sigh of relief, because I think it was just what I needed to wash the horrible taste in my mouth left over from Twilight.  STAY AWAY FROM TWILIGHT, PEOPLE!  It will ruin your life!