Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods – Smack Attack

     Four teens take a drug at a party and three of them die.  The girl who took the drug survives.  Jamie and his training officer partner arrived at the party because of a noise complaint, and Jamie is the one who does CPR on the girl and helps her survive.  He then has to tell her that her boyfriend died.

     Danny and his partner arrive and question the girl.  Then they go to talk to the girl who threw the party, who says she doesn’t do drugs, but believes they were purchased from someone at school (a private Catholic school).  They go to the principal and ask permission to search all of the school lockers.  He says he can’t approve that, so Frank goes to see the Bishop, who eventually approves the search.

     Danny and his partner Jackie find drugs in several lockers, using a drug sniffing dog.  I wonder if this is a real drug sniffing dog, or a dog actor just trained to behave as a police dog.  They also get a call that another two people have died from taking the drug they are looking for, Mcat.  Eventually they found out those two deaths were unrelated.

     After a couple of red herrings and a wild goose chase or two, they eventually discover that the female vice-principal of the school and one of the boys that died had an affair, and she was the one who gave him the drugs, after their affair ended.

     There was some Reagan family drama as well.  Erin’s daughter was upset that her mother doesn’t really talk to her, trust her, or want to give her any freedom.  Frank talked to her, and the girl took it to heart, and tried to do something nice for her mother by making her dinner.  She actually seemed incredibly bratty at first, but in the end seemed very sweet.  She seemed to really be trying to understand some of what her mother was dealing with and going through.

Big Bang Theory/Vampire Diaries/Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice/The Mentalist

The Big Bang Theory – The Irish Pub Formulation

     Raj’s sister has a one day layover in LA and she spends the night with Leonard.  This is a problem because he and Howard both made a pinky swear the last time she was in town that neither of them would go after her.  They also promised Raj they wouldn’t go after her, because he would feel betrayed, which he does.

     When Raj found out Leonard slept with his sister, who by this time had left town again, a bunch of small betrayal and secrets came out.  An iPhone accidently but secretly dropped into a toilet was one, but the funniest one was that Raj used Sheldon’s toothbrush.  Not the brush-part, but the gum stimulator.  Sheldon’s reaction was hysterical, and was probably the best part of the episode,

The Vampire Diaries – Masquerade

     When the HELL did Jeremy get so hot?  Now that he is moving out of his emo phase and he is in a suit with his hair slicked back, he looks amazing.  The chemistry between him and Bonnie was unexpected.  I still think I would like to see what would happen between her and Damon, but Jeremy would be a good distraction.

     Katherine brought a new witch to the scene, who linked Katherine and Elena together, so everything Katherine felt, Elena felt too.  So, when Jeremy did his part, and Caroline did hers, by fooling Katherine into going into the room that Bonnie had turned into a kind of holding cell for vampires (YAY Caroline!), and Stefan and Damon started attacking Katherine and staking her, Elena was also wounded.  If they had killed her before Jeremy stopped them, Elena would have died as well.

     Lucy, the new witch, is Bonnie’s distance relative, and I have a feeling we are going to see her again.  She gave Katherine the moonstone, then put some kind of debilitating spell on her, and removed the spell from Elena.

     Instead of staking Katherine and ending her for good, Damon locked her into the tomb in which she was supposed to be interned 145 years ago.  She is alone, but with the moonstone, and after telling Damon that Elena is in danger, he sealed her into the tomb.

At the same time, Elena told Stefan she loves him and wants to be with him, but she needs time to feel she and her family are safe.  She called Jeremy to say she was on her way home, and then was snatched up by someone in a mask before getting to her car.

     In the B storyline, Matt had been compelled by Katherine to fight Tyler until Tyler killed him (Matt).  Matt did his best, but Caroline intervened, and knocked Matt out cold.  Then plan C (or maybe B part 2) kicked in, and party-girl Sarah, having also been compelled by Katherine, went after Tyler with a knife.  He pushed her away, hard; she hit her head on the side of the desk, and died.  So, Tyler is now a werewolf.  Caroline was sympathetic to him, and he realized she knew more about what is going on with him than he thought.  Looks like it’s time to bring Tyler into the supernatural loop and let him know that while he is the only werewolf in town, there are vampires and witches as well.  I just hope this doesn’t mean Damon and Stefan are going to have to kill Tyler now!

Grey’s Anatomy – These Arms of Mine

     This episode was shot in documentary style:  A documentary crew came to the hospital to talk to the staff about how they were doing nearly 6 months after the shooting.  It was really well done, and believable based on documentaries I have seen in the past, although it did focus just on “our” doctors, while there were others affected by the shooting, but that’s the only way it would work within the context of the show.

     It’s pretty obvious who is thriving in the aftermath of the shooting, and who is still struggling.  Karav has really come into his own, and finally seems to know where he wants his career to go.  It’s nice to see Alex as the fun, smart, strong, confident but not overly cocky doctor he can be.

     Cristina is still struggling, and her struggle was caught, over and over again, by the camera crew.  She doesn’t want to be a hero, doesn’t want to be seen as a hero, and doesn’t want others to call her a hero.  At the end she admits that being a hero comes at a price.  The other person struggling is Avery, and while his struggle is far more subtle, it is no less real.  People understand Cristina’s struggle, but Avery’s is less understood by those around him.

     The arm transplant case was very cool, and watching all the doctors work together was great.  The recipient and his wife were great, and just wanted to do whatever it took to get the arms and get him some of his independence and mobility back.

     Callie and Arizona are moving to Africa, because Arizona got a prestigious grant to work with children.  The real reason is that Jessica Capshaw (Arizona) is pregnant, and needs some time to have her baby and then bond with the baby, before returning to work.  I understand the need for her to take time off, and think it should be good for their storyline when they come back.

     Bailey’s patient from the day of the shooting, Mary, came back to finally have her colostomy bag removed.  It was a pretty standard surgery and it went well, but Mary never woke up from the surgery.  Her husband had to take her off life support, and she died.  She survived that horrific day, only to die six months later after a really basic procedure.  In the six intervening months, she and her husband had travelled extensively, so she had really LIVED those six months, and it was a sad, tragic end to her story.

Private Practice – All in the Family

     One husband has to admit to his wife that not only is he gay, but he is HIV positive.  She understood him being gay, said that she had known for a long time, that they would always be friends, and she asked the man he was in love with to take care of him.  Then he told her he is HIV positive, and she got very upset (while she at least is still negative).  He tried to talk to her more, but she slapped him and left.

     Another husband impregnated his comatose wife, and when the baby was lost he talked to her, saying they would try again.  He truly believed she could hear him, that they would have a family together, and that what he was doing was okay.  Addison called the police, because she was comatose and couldn’t give consent, so him having sex with her was illegal.  Sam didn’t agree that this was the best way to handle the situation, and Sheldon agreed that the man was obviously having some kind of emotional breakdown and needed counseling.  Addie and Sam both felt they were right and the other was wrong, but I would have agreed with Addie on this one.  He should not have been in a position to continue to have access to his wife, and try to impregnate her again, regardless of his mental status.

     Pete finally told Violet what happened to land his mother in prison and cause the rift between him and his brother.  His mother killed a man, and his brother lied on the stand to try and protect her, while Pete was the one who called police on his mother after the murder, and helped convict her.  He doesn’t want anything to do with these people, and I really hope now Violet can let it go.  I think it would be very painful for Pete to bring either his brother or mother back into his life, and I hope Violet respects that or he may not be able to forgive her, especially now that she knows the truth of the situation.

     At the end of her hospital shift, after fighting and making up with Cooper, Charlotte was on her way home to him when she was attacked and pulled into a closet.  This is how this episode ended, but it will continue into next week, and the ramifications are going to be felt for a long time to come.  I have read some about what is going to happen, and won’t spoil it here, but I think we are about to see some incredible writing and acting, especially by KaDee Strickland.  If it goes as I believe it will, look for next week’s episode at Emmy time.

The Mentalist – Pink Chanel Suit

     A man is murdered and the daughter of a prominent citizen disappears and Jane and the CBI have to find her.  They discovered there was no way she could have gotten out of the compound on which she lived, without being detected, due to a large security force.  At first she was suspected of the murder of the man, and they thought she somehow snuck off the property and escaped, but eventually they came realize she was also dead.  The eventual outcome was that a doctor under the family’s employ killed her by accidental overdose (he was trying to manage her addiction by administering drugs to her himself) and when discovered he killed the other man.

     I have to be honest, I enjoy watching this show, but it really didn’t hold my attention this week.  I feel like I should have given it a better recap, but I just don’t really have much else to say about it.

Modern Family/Cougar Town/The Whole Truth

Modern Family – Halloween

     Watching this episode made me wish I enjoyed Halloween more.  I loved that it is Claire’s favorite holiday, it was very unexpected.  This is not the holiday I would have expected her to enjoy.

     I also found it funny that Cam hates Halloween, again unexpected.  Poor thing had a bad time of it one year when he was young.  Mitchell, on the other hand likes Halloween well enough to dress up for work, but finds out that only 2 guys at work dress up, and everyone else consider them tools.

     Jay tells Gloria that sometimes people don’t understand her, because of her accent.  She then adopts a more American accent, and spends part of the episode speaking that way.  Her feelings were hurt, and I actually felt badly for her.  She was also really funny when she was talking with the Americanized accent, but finally Jay made her realize she is loved with the accent, and the first time he heard her, before he even saw her, he had fallen in love with her because her accent projected her exuberance.

Cougar Town –

     Another Halloween episode of a new show, and I also really enjoyed this one.  Jules’ father came to visit, and she spent the whole episode trying to connect with him.  He spent the episode trying to avoid it, and Jules couldn’t figure out why.  She actually ended up kicking him out of her house, because she felt if he didn’t want to connect with her, there wasn’t really any need for him to be there.

     Laurie scared Travis three times, and he scared her once.  It’s hard to describe, but it was awesome.

     Grayson said he was going to “throw on (his) Prince costume and be handsome.”  Jules, who hates Halloween and wasn’t going to dress up, decides to go as a princess because Grayson’s her prince.  She got to the party and discovered he didn’t mean A prince, but THE Prince, circa 1985.  It was excellent.

     Laurie dressed up as Ellie, Ellie dressed up as Laurie, Andy dressed as Burt Reynolds, Bobby as “windy guy” (he looked great, and I really like the idea if I could do it).  Jules’ dad texted her to say he went home, but he was actually at the pub the whole time, dressed as a bear, so no one knew it was him.  Barb (YEAH!!  Barb was back!!) was dressed as a haystack (“Hey fellas, who wants a roll in the hay”) in front, but the back was open and she was dressed very provocatively.  Eventually Travis even got into the spirit and dressed as Andy.  As you can probably guess, I really enjoyed the costumes here, they were all excellent, and while professionally done they actually looked like things these people could pull off in their own homes.  They had a very real life look and feel to them, instead of some shows where there is just no way your average person could pull them off.

     Eventually, Jules’ dad explained that the reason he has a hard time talking to her is that she reminds him so much of her mother when she was young that it’s hard for him, because he misses her.  Then he tells her the thing he is most proud of in his life is her, and she is his princess (while she is wearing her princess costume).

The Whole Truth – When Cougars Attack

     The defendant of the week is a woman who is accused of killing her much younger lover.  The press called her a “killer cougar” because of the age difference, and also because the woman was accused, prosecuted, and acquitted of the murder of another much younger boyfriend a couple of years before.  Jimmy was her defense attorney on the previous trial, and Kathryn’s boss Edge was the prosecutor.  The defendant, Madeline, also had a brief affair with Jimmy right after he defended her.

     Madeline’s son went on the stand and told the court that he heard her threaten the victim at the party they were holding, just before he died.  Madeline went on the stand and tried to mitigate the damage, but to me she didn’t come off as very likeable or sympathetic.

     Before Madeline got on the stand, Kathryn walked into the defense attorney’s office in the evening, and found Madeline and Jimmy making out, with her sitting on Jimmy’s lap.  It was a pretty serious indiscretion on Jimmy’s part, and he was VERY lucky Katie didn’t tell Edge about it, because Edge could have used it when Madeline was on the stand.  She was still convicted.

     In the end, we found out the jury was right, and Madeline was guilty.  We also saw more of the chemistry that exists between Jimmy and Katie.  I know they have known each other for years, went to college together I believe, but there was a spark between them that seemed brighter this episode.

     This show is going to continue airing until the 13 episode order has been fulfilled and aired, but ABC has already announced that they are not ordering the back nine.  I actually think it’s a shame, because it’s really just starting to find its groove, and I think this could have been a good show if given the chance.

No Ordinary Family/Glee/Sons of Anarchy/Parenthood

No Ordinary Family – No Ordinary Quake

     The “earthquake” was caused by someone with extraordinary powers, who ended up being taken into custody by the company Stephanie works for.

     JJ finally had to come clean to his family regarding the fact that he has powers.  I am SO glad that storyline is over, I find it way more interesting when everyone within the family knows what’s going on, and they can help each other find ways to deal with whatever inconveniences their powers bring.

     Daphne misread the minds of a friend and her teacher, and thought the two were sleeping together.  She went to someone in a position of authority at the school, and told them, via a note, of her suspicions.  She was wrong, the teacher had been dating the girl’s mother, and it was awkward and uncomfortable for everyone.

Glee – The Rocky Horror Glee Show

     First I have to admit, I have only seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show once, so I can’t really discuss comparisons with any authority.

     I DO know that Barry Bostwick and MeatLoaf were both in Rocky Horror, and the fact that they guest starred here was awesome.  Their casting as station managers of Sue’s TV station, where she does “That’s How Sue C’s It” was brilliant.  I thought it was a great nod.  And when Sue eventually taped her commentary, it was honest, well thought out, well reasoned, and well spoken.  She made her points, both in the commentary and in her conversation with Will, in a smart and concise manner.

     Will’s motivation for putting on this show was terrible.  It wasn’t for the club, it wasn’t to push boundaries, it wasn’t to introduce the students to a groundbreaking musical from 35 (GULP) years ago, it was to make an impression on Emma, and try to win her away from Carl.

     Speaking of Carl, I know John Stamos plays drums, and I know he’s been on Broadway, but I really didn’t know what a good voice he has.  I was really impressed, and would have loved to see him as Eddie.  I would love to know how he gets better and better looking as he gets older.  I loved seeing him in all black leather.

     Will and Sam are certainly hiding some “talents” under all their clothes.  Speaking of clothes, the costumes and makeup for the production were fantastic, and I have to especially shout out what they did to Kurt for his role.  I honestly wasn’t sure who that was, until I looked VERY closely, and then when he sang I was sure.

     Mercedes as Frankenfurter was inspired.  I am not overly thrilled that the largest of the female cast members went for the role, any of them could have done it, but she definitely is a strong voice, and I think she was a great idea to play the character.

     I would expect the DVD of The Rocky Horror Picture Show sales are going to see a big boost in the next few days,  I believe this episode introduced it to a whole new generation of potential fans.  They did mention, several times, that there is a lot of material that might not be appropriate for teens, and I hope parents take that to heart before getting the DVDs for their kids.

    Before I end, I want to say, I LOVED Becky dressed as Sue.  She also had my favorite line of the night, to Will:  “Give me some chocolate, or I. Will. Cut. You.”  I have been there girl!

Sons of Anarchy – Lochan Mor

     Chibs’ reunion with Fi and his daughter made me tear up.  His daughter Carrie-Ann looked so forlorn and sad, and scared, and angry.

     Little freakin’ prospect weasel let Lumpy get hurt (killed?) on his watch, then bailed on the club, leaving his cut and the gun he was given, and riding off into the night.  This show makes me want to use very foul language, both because they all use it, and because sometimes what goes on deserves it.  I was certainly calling him all kinds of names when he hid and then ran.

     We finally got some answers about the differing sides of the Irish conflict.  Father Kellan Ashby explained to Jax that Jimmy O’Phelan wants to take the gun running and protection business away from SoA Belfast, and leave them out of the IRA business completely.  Kellan and his faction don’t want this to happen, but they also can’t kill Jimmy O, because he is entrenched in, and backed by, a portion of the Army.  Kellan wants SAMCRO to kill Jimmy O, specifically Jax, because everyone would understand him going after Jimmy as a vengeful, grieving father.

     So, Jimmy never had Abel, but he was lying to SAMCRO, because he didn’t want them to come to Ireland.  He knew if they came to Belfast, there would be a very good chance Kellan and SAMBEL (at least the majority of the membership that isn’t working with Jimmy O) would get to them and this would be put into motion.  It’s also why he tried to get them picked up by police and sent back to the USA.

     Kellan is keeping Abel away from Jax and SAMCRO, because he wants them to kill Jimmy O.  He says it’s for Abel’s protection, but I think it is much more a form of blackmail:  Abel is in danger, and you will get him back once you eliminate Jimmy O.

     Maureen and Gemma are really going to have to tell Trinity and Jax about JT being her father, BEFORE the chemistry between the two of them gets any stronger and they end up either in bed together or close.  I VERY MUCH enjoyed seeing Charlie Hunnam, as Jax, all shirtless and sweaty and just damn HOT.  It appeared Trinity also enjoyed seeing Jax that way.

     Lyla confided in Tara that she is pregnant, and Tara went with her to have an abortion.  She is right; it isn’t the right time for her and Opie to have a baby.  Tara was also confronted by Margaret at the hospital, who told her that if it was her (Tara) that was going to have the abortion, she thinks it’s the right decision because Tara is confused about where her life is going, and it’s not a good atmosphere into which to bring a baby.

     It was really nice to see Clay smiling, laughing, and just enjoying a moment with his club and his wife.  Ron Perlman’s face changes completely when he smiles.

     Tig’s license has been revoked, so it will be interesting to see how that affects him riding, working, etc.  We now know that his conflict between him and Kozik has something to do with a woman, but I don’t think it is going to go in the direction of them being involved with/after the same woman.  I have a feeling it’s going to be deeper and more involved than that, maybe they accidently injured/killed a woman, and Tig blames Kozik for it.

     Lastly, I really had Jacob Hale.  He is slime, and I hope he gets what’s coming to him before the end of the season.  Even Darby got my sympathy tonight, because he seems to really want to change, and Hale doesn’t want to let him.  Hale wants to pull him back into the dark side, and Darby is trying to resist.  I give him a lot of credit for walking away, instead of taking the money and hurting (killing?) Lumpy.  I hope he can hold his ground!

     Damn, this show makes me long-winded.  Between how much I love the show, and how complicated it is right now, there is just SO much to talk about.

Parenthood – Seven Names

     I understood why Sarah felt she had to tell Amber’s friend’s mother about their Halloween antics last week, but I also understood why Amber was so upset.  Her mother promised she wouldn’t say anything, and then went back on that promise.  It was a promise Sarah never should have made in the first place, and the conversation between mothers should have happened the night of the party, not as some spontaneous thing a few days later.  I am glad Amber came to understand, and even said her friend was a bit odd, which she was, and I hope that girl is actually gone from the show.  I didn’t like her, and I didn’t like her influence on Amber.

     Crosby and Jasmine are getting married.  I am glad she said yes, and that even though Crosby has a slight case of cold feet, he is sticking by his proposal.  They do make a good couple, although I also think they have some things to work out before they actually walk down the aisle.  I don’t think either of them is terribly mature, and Jasmine needs to figure out what she is going to do for a career before they get married.

     I am glad Haddie is finally getting a storyline this season.  I want to see her start to become a young adult instead of a teenager, and I think doing this community service charity work is a great step for her.  I hope it isn’t just a way to get her involved with a guy, which seems to be where it is headed, but also really explores what she is doing, and how people can help.

     Adam had to lay off seven people at his company.  I didn’t like this storyline, because as far as I was concerned Gordon, the owner of the company, should have been holding the actual meetings and laying the people off.  Instead he stunk of alcohol, and would have made things much worse on those who were being let go.  I understand that Adam knew the people better and very possibly should have been the person to decide who would be laid off, but Gordon should have been the person to do the actual deed.  It’s a small company, it was his responsibility.

     I also wasn’t thrilled with the Julia and Joel storyline.  Their daughter is old enough to understand if they have to hire a babysitter for her after school hours.  Couples all over the country work, and their children are left with sitters all the time.  Single parents also have to deal with babysitters for after school hours.  If Julia “bills at $600 an hour”, it’s not as if they can’t afford to get a sitter, or for that matter a live in nanny.  I understand they may not want to feel like someone else is raising their daughter, but this is just stupid to me.  

How I Met Your Mother/The Event/Mike & Molly/Hawaii Five-0/Castle

How I Met Your Mother – Baby Talk

     Marshall and Lily spent the episode trying odd and varied ways to ensure that they have a boy (Marshall) or a girl (Lily).  They also tried to come to an agreement on names, although they never actually did.  Every name one of them liked the other didn’t, which reminded me of an episode of Friends.  They did eventually agree on a name that could be used for either a boy or a girl (Jamie) but that only lasted for a minute, until Lily had a run in with a child named Jamie in her class.  Yes, she is still a teacher, which I often forget.

     The other storyline was why it is that men like women who use baby talk.  I agree with Robin and Lily on this, I just don’t get the appeal.  I don’t have it in me to talk to someone like that, and can’t understand why men like that.  They do come to realize men can’t really carry it off in reverse; men who talk like little boys just don’t get laid.

The Event – Loyalty

     I don’t know if I am supposed to be rooting for the detainees, but I was really happy that Simon was able to draw attention away from Sophia by introducing isotopes into the milk supply at the coffee shop.  I thought it was a great, non-lethal way to deal with the situation.

     In 1954 Simon was in love, and living in Venice, CA.  I bet he wishes now he had purchased some property back then, it would be worth a fortune today!  While it seems Simon has struggled with wanting to be human, when his back is against the wall and he has to chose, his loyalty is to his own people, and his self-preservation.

     Sean and Leila go back to her parent’s house, in hopes of finding something that will help them either figure out what is going on, or help them find her sister, Samantha.  They found evidence and information about the Alaskan detainment facility, but didn’t know what they were seeing.  The reporter, Madeline, was pretty freaked out when she showed up at the house and had a gun on them, then tried to tell them what they are dealing with, extraterrestrial biological entities (EBs, which is probably how I will refer to them going forward, unless we get some other moniker or explanation).

     Thomas set something into motion that caused the building they were in to behave as if there was an earthquake.  Then the floor of the building broke away and something that appeared very much like a spacecraft was revealed, and the building imploded.  What was left was a scar of earth, very reminiscent of the location of the Twin Towers after 911.  It was a bit eerie.

Mike & Molly – Mike’s Apartment

     Mike took Molly to his apartment, but his mother’s call interrupted them.  She then called back, feigning chest pains, and Mike ran right to her place, with Molly tagging along.  Mrs Biggs does have an oxygen tank and mask, so she isn’t in the best health, but she was not having chest pains.

     Molly did hold her own against Mike’s mom.  She wasn’t nice to Molly at all, but Molly gave as good as she got in the end.  Mike coddled his mom at first, but as it became clear that she was fine, he stayed with Molly.  They actually finally spent the night together, and it was very sweet.

Hawaii Five-0 – Ko’olauloa

     Kono was a bit too close to this case to be effective, from being too close to the victim to being to close to one of the suspects.  The person who actually committed the crime was also someone Kono knew, but not someone she was overly close to, but he was the father of someone she cares about, one of the original suspects.

     There was a bit with Chin (Daniel Dae Kim) talking to McGarrett about wild boars on the island, and that someone had recently killed one in the wild.  Again, it brought me back to Lost, and the wild boars that were around on that show as well.

     At least the bikini shots of Grace Park tonight made sense in the setting of this episode.  If we could get some shirtless Alex O’Loughlin soon, it would be much appreciated!

Castle – 3XK

     I am bummed that the killer got away.  They finally figured out who it really was, but he knocked Ryan out, stole his gun and badge, and told Castle he is going to change his face.  I was creeped out by the guy who confessed, much more so than the man who was the real killer. 

     I totally think Castle’s next book should be based on Esposito!  I would love to see an ep from his point of view, or Ryan’s, and I would love to see a book centered on them as well. 

     There was a really touching moment between Castle and Beckett at the end of tonight’s episode.  Castle was feeling horrible for not stopping the killer, Beckett said she understood, and they held hands.  It was just a brief moment, but it was very sweet and a glimpse of how much they do care for each other.

Desperate Housewives/Brothers & Sisters

Desperate Housewives – Let Me Entertain You

     I loved Gabby’s line about how difficult it must be to be married to a professional athlete.  That was a fun little nod to her real life.

     I like Bree with Keith.  He sees things differently than she does, and she needs that in her life.  Orson was a good match for her because they were so much alike, but maybe they were too much alike.  There was nothing to talk about because they were always on the same page.  Keith and Bree are so different, they have things to discuss, and he doesn’t over intellectualize everything like Bree does.

     Renee and Gabby’s smack-down was fun to watch.  I think I can see both of their points of view.  Neither should have revealed each other’s secrets, it was uncalled for and inappropriate.

     Lynette was nearly cruel to Tom’s mother but she tried to make amends.  Then what I thought was obvious from the beginning of the episode was revealed:  she is having memory lapses, probably Alzheimer’s.  Lynette wasn’t there to see it, but Penny was.

     Paul confronted Susan about what she’s been doing online, and threatened to tell Mike what she’s been doing.  He wants to buy her house, and threatened to blackmail her to get it.  I have no idea what he is up to, what his master plan is, and why he wants buy up houses on Wisteria Lane, but I am intrigued enough for it to be a reason to keep watching.

Brothers & Sisters – Call Mom

     DAMN IT, Scotty.  I guess I get why he may have cheated on Kevin, they have been having a tough time since they weren’t able to conceive via artificial insemination, but damn it I didn’t see this coming.  I am hopeful that they can work their way through it and come through it even stronger on the other side. 

     I am glad Nora got hired at the radio station.  She needs a job, and this is about perfect for her.  She gets to be a busybody in all her callers lives, instead of just in her children’s.  It should open some great new storylines.

     I hope Luc and Sarah get married.  I like them together, and I think he has softened her a lot. 

     Kitty and her new “friend” John are growing on me.  I am still grieving for Robert, but so is Kitty and as she works her way through her grief, I am doing the same. 

     Justin on the other hand, JUST slept with his ex-wife, and still loves her.  He needs to grieve too, before moving on to a new woman.  I know there is a new woman on the horizon for him, I don’t know if he’s ready for that.  I hope he took his mother’s advice to heart.

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods – What You See

     There is a serious terrorist threat to NYC and both Commissioner Frank and Danny are involved in trying to find him.  Even Jamie gets in on it when he stops a dark SUV for trying to run a checkpoint, but he was just stoned.

     Danny had a previous relationship with the main suspect.  He had come in a couple of years early as the victim of a crime.

     They spent the first half of the ep racially profiling suspected drivers of SUVs at checkpoints throughout the city.  Then Danny and his partner discovered that the main suspect’s sister-in-law, a white, American woman who was an extremist, radical Muslim convert, was possibly the driver of the bomb-rigged SUV.  She also had her son in the car with her.

     Danny comes very close to being blown up, as first detective on the scene, but he is able to talk her down enough that she disarms herself just long enough for Danny to subdue her.  He gets in a bit of trouble over it, but really everyone is just proud and relieved. 

     I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to be a police officer in any big city, but especially in NYC, in a post 911 world.  I knew this show would eventually have to tackle a terrorist threat, and I would be surprised if it isn’t revisited again at some point.  I thought it was really well done, personalizing to this one family and how they experience this particular day.

Big Bang Theory/Vampire Diaries/Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice/The Mentalist

The Big Bang Theory – The Desperation Emanation

     This was the ep they had to write Kaley Cuoco out of, because she broke her leg.  I missed her! 

     The story between Sheldon and Amy was really fun this week.  I love that she wanted him to meet her mother, only because she wanted her mother to believe she was dating him, not because she herself felt they were dating.  When she first suggested it to Sheldon, he freaked, because he misunderstood and thought she actually wanted a relationship beyond the level he is comfortable with.

     Leonard is so desperate for a date he goes out with a rather unpleasant woman that Howard’s girlfriend Bernadette sets him up with.  She was not Leonard’s type at all, but he even agreed to go out with her again.  While he may, I hope we don’t have to see it, because she was not someone I really want to see again.

The Vampire Diaries – Plan B

     Damon killed Mason… bye bye hot werewolf!  I am sad to see him go because I really thought he would be a good foil for our boys.  Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was hot too!  No ugly supernatural entities on this show, that’s for sure.  I was pretty shocked that Damon literally ripped his heart out.

     Stefan and Elena were supposed to be fake-broken-up, but Elena just couldn’t stay away from Stefan.  Every time something happened, Elena just had to find out what was going on, she just couldn’t leave well enough alone.  Stefan was lucky in this regard when he went into the well filled with vervain water, but Jenna wasn’t so lucky when Katherine made it clear she knew Stefan and Elena were fake fighting by compelling Jenna to stab herself.  I just don’t understand why it took Jenna almost dying for Elena and Stefan to realize how dire the situation with Katherine really is.  Now they are actually breaking up, because Elena finally realizes there is no choice if she wants to keep her family safe.

     Jeremy is involving himself with Damon and Stefan more and more.  He is going to be deeply entwined soon, and may be instrumental in bringing Katherine down, should they finally get to that endgame.

     Caroline had a great talk with her mother, and then had to compel her to forget all of it.  She wanted to trust her mother, but she knew her mother would never trust Damon and Stefan, and by extension, her. 

    Katherine was pissed that Mason was dead, and said she needs a werewolf.  She compelled Matt to go after Tyler, knowing that if Tyler kills Matt, he will become a werewolf.  I cannot wait to find out what Katherine is up to, and what her endgame is. 

Grey’s Anatomy – Almost Grown

     The residents became attendings for a day, except Lexi, who isn’t a 4^th year, while the attendings had to pitch their ideas to the chief regarding what could be done with a million dollars.  After much competition, Hunt won the contest, with his plan to train all staff on emergency procedures, so that if something like the hospital shooting happens again people will be better prepared.

     The residents all had medical procedures to do, and Meredith and Alex did really well with their respective patients.  Avery did not fair as well, causing a bleed in the brain he was operating on, but Derek was there to correct the error and the patient ended up being okay as well.  Cristina and April dealt with a potential transplant patient, and eventually he and his case actually drew Cristina out a bit, engaged her in the medicine, and caused her to actually form an opinion, voice that opinion, and stick with it.  This was one more baby step in Cristina’s recovery, and it was good to see.  Sandra Oh is rocking it this season, and if she isn’t at least nominated for an Emmy, I will be shocked. 

     Chandra Wilson directed this ep, and I always enjoy the episodes she directs.  They are so often a bit softer than other episodes of this show, with more heart and emotion. 

Private Practice – In or Out

     I liked the Amelia/Sheldon story this week.  He completely got exactly where she is in her life right now, and knows himself well enough to know that if the hooked up; he would end up getting hurt.  I also thought all the references to his… ehem… size and prowess were really funny.  I would have found them inappropriate in an 8:00 show, but felt they were right at the edge for a 10:00 show.  It made me laugh.

     I was glad Addy and Sam were able to save the baby.  I was even more glad she turned down hot doctor for dinner.  The old Addy would have gone, done something bad and stupid, and regretted it.  She and Sam are good for each other, good together, and I really hope he really won’t hurt her.

     Violet needs to focus on her own life and not spend so much time worrying about other people’s lives.  I know she has to do that in her job, but I don’t like when she gets personally involved.  Pete told her his mother is in prison, so now I have no doubt she is going to try to find her, to find out what her story is, and while I like the idea of getting some backstory on Pete, I am not thrilled that Violet is going to go nosing around in something that Pete clearly doesn’t want her involved in.

     Cooper and Charlotte started talking about having a child.  I have a feeling that storyline is soon going to take a backseat to what is coming up for Charlotte.  I am not going to spoil, if you want to know it’s all over the internet, but she is going to have other things happening soon that will dwarf the child conversation.

The Mentalist – The Red Ponies

     This ep was centered on a jockey who was murdered, so a good part of it was centered on horses and the racetrack.  It was a decent episode, but it didn’t really hold my attention.  I wasn’t really into it, and am kind-of burned out this week, so sadly this show gets the short end of my attention span this week.

Modern Family/Cougar Town/The Whole Truth

Modern Family – Unplugged

     I have never been a particularly huge fan of Gloria’s, but this episode really made me love her.  First of all, she rescued the neighbor’s dog, which was basically being abused by being tied to a tree all the time.  Then she showed she wasn’t afraid to kill a rat, and then she talked about her village and the goats.  I laughed a lot in the episode, and most of it was at Gloria’s storyline this week.

     Cam and Mitchell were hysterical when they realized who they were competing with for entrance into the pre-school.  They knew there was no way they were going to beat the other couple and their child.  Cam trying to sound/act like a Native American was the only thing that fell flat for me in this episode.  It was really out of character for him.

     The Dunphys unplugging was also great.  I have often thought about doing that, but it would have to be in the summer, when new TV episodes are fewer and farther between.  I thought Haley constructing a cell phone out of soap and coloring it using a marker was genius, and she did win the competition because of it, but sadly she didn’t win the car they promised her if she won.  She kind of got screwed, but her parents never thought she would win.  Not a good reason to not give her what they promised, but an understandable one, if you are a parent and can’t afford a third car.

 Cougar Town – Keeping Me Alive

     No sane money man, or friend, would suggest Bobby cancel his health insurance.  I really like Bobby and Andy’s friendship.  I am glad Jules admitted she likes that he still needs her.

     I am also glad Laurie admitted she really is sad that Smith broke up with her.  It IS possible to be friends with your ex, but there generally needs to be some time between the breakup and the friendship.  Sleeping together after the breakup also makes it more difficult to be friends.

The Whole Truth – True Confessions

     The kid did it.  It really didn’t surprise me after he went off on his defense attorney when she was practicing with him for cross-examination.  I don’t really have much more to say about this show.

No Ordinary Family/Sons of Anarchy/Parenthood

No Ordinary Family – No Ordinary Vigilante

     I wish JJ would just tell his parents he has super brain power.  This trying to keep it a secret is just stupid.  What’s he going to do when they eventually do find out, and of course they will?  Then he looks even worse, because of all the time he’s lied to his parents.

     With everything that has happened this week with the vigilante who ended up getting shot and killed by police, I hope Jim steps back from his own vigilantism.

     Stephanie’s work stuff didn’t really advance this week.  The only thing we discovered is that it seems the miracle plant she is working with is responsible for the family’s superpower, something I kind of already had figured out.  I will be interested in finding out more about the doctor whose research she was looking at, the doctor she and Katie believe is dead.

     Daphne used her powers to get into a party she wasn’t invited to, then to try and buy alcohol.  She ended up getting arrested and grounded.  I totally understand what she did here, wanting to fit in, to be cool, to be part of the gang.  Totally get it, and I would have done at least the same in my high school years, if I could have.

Sons of Anarchy – Widening Gyre

     I thought this ep was most excellent.  I think we all figured Trinity was JT's daughter, but it was good to get confirmation.  I also thought Gemma already knew about Trinity, so that was a good surprise.  I wonder if Clay knows, and kept it from her?  I thought it was interesting that Gemma was fine with staying behind in Charming until she talked to Maureen and found out about Trinity.  I think there is going to be a HUGE smackdown coming between Gemma and UK Gemma.  Also hope they tell Jax about Trinny being his sister BEFORE he tries to sleep with her.

     I was glad that Opie actually mentioned to Jax that he better have “wrapped his shit” because someone really needed to tell Jax that unprotected sex is not cool.  Not to mention, he already has one son, and possibly another child on the way, he certainly doesn’t need another one with Ima skank.  I was happy to see Lyla smack Ima... at least we know Lyla wasn't trying to help her get with Jax, and so does Tara.

     I am really loving this season.  I can’t wait for them all to get to Belfast and find out that McGee is in deep with Jimmy, right alongside Liam.  I do not believe the VP of SoA Belfast is in with Jimmy, and we saw tonight what happens when the President is stripped of his patch and his cut.  I just want to know how and why McGee, one of the original 9, is working with Jimmy against SAMCRO.  
     Somehow I almost forgot to mention:  I absolutely LOVED Margaret Murphy slugging Tara!  It was perfect for the storyline, for what Tara needed to be believable, and I am sure it felt great to Margaret to be able to let out some of her pent up hostility and frustration with Tara in that single moment.  And I totally agreed that they never would have believed Gemma didn't hit Tara, I was thinking that the entire time they were saying goodbye.

Parenthood – Orange Alert

     In the interest of honesty, I have to say that I hate Halloween; it is my least favorite holiday of the year.  That said, I liked this episode, and enjoyed all the costumes and hoopla. 

     I thought Sarah was great in the episode and am starting to warm to her having a relationship with her boss, Gordon.   We got a bit of insight into his back story, and found out his ex-wife was a drinker.  He was so good with both Amber and her friend, and it was nice to see a bit of his vulnerability.  I think they would be a good team.

     Kristina made trick or treating more complicated and stressful than it needed to be, but I do understand that she has to look out for Max’s best interests.  I was glad he actually made it through the night with only a minor meltdown, and it was over the fact that if the younger kids could go to the scariest house in the neighborhood he should be able to as well.  Then he did, and with all of Kristina and Adam’s worrying, he did fine.  It was a win for him, for sure.

     I loved Zeke’s reason for being so into Halloween and that it wasn’t just about the kids, candy, and pageantry of it.  He had a heartfelt, deeply emotional reason for loving the holiday, and it was a very sweet story he told.

     Crosby proposed to Jasmine, and we were left with the cliffhanger of whether she is going to accept.  I hope she says yes, but it won’t surprise me if she says no.  I don’t think she believes Crosby is mature enough to settle down, and I personally don’t think she is either.  We shall see.

How I Met Your Mother/House/Mike & Molly/The Event/Hawaii Five-0/Castle

How I Met Your Mother – Architect of Destruction

     My favorite line of the night was that Architect of Destruction would be a great name for a wrestler.  I would have to agree with that.

     Jennifer Morrison guest starred as Zoey, whom Ted took a liking to upon meeting.  She was quirky, funny, and sweet, had some common interests with Ted, and was, of course, married.  At least she said she was married, but if she continues to show up, maybe we will find out she isn’t really married and has the potential to be the titular mother.

     The other amusing thing that happened was the men found out just how much women talk.  They discovered that Lily and Robin talk about their men, a lot.  It was funny that the guys didn’t know about it, or expect it.  I think they were right, that men talk more about acts and women talk more about specifics/actual men.

House – Unplanned Parenthood

     Well, Jennifer Grey seems to be making a bit of a comeback, between her current stint on Dancing With The Stars and now guest starring here.  I wish we had gotten more of the back story of why she and her older daughter were so alienated, but it wasn’t really relevant to the story.  The woman ended up dead, and it seems that her older daughter will be raising her baby sister.

     The story line with House and Wilson trying to make sure Cuddy’s daughter Rachel didn’t swallow a dime, and if she did, that she passed it and it didn’t become an obstruction.  Eventually they came to the conclusion that she didn’t swallow anything, only for her to later pass a dime, and then drop a dime on House when her mother asked her where she got a hold of a dime.

Mike & Molly – Carl is Jealous

     Carl was, at the title stated, jealous of Mike & Molly’s relationship.  They tried to set him up with Molly’s sister Victoria, but when they were out at a bar/restaurant, Michael Jordan walked by (sadly no cameo) and that was the last we saw of Victoria.  She took off with Michael Jordan. 

     Molly gave Mike the green light for finally having sex, and he came back into her house unannounced once he dropped Carl off.  Instead of getting with Molly, he got wacked in the head by her mother.  He had to go to the hospital instead of getting laid.  Eventually these two are finally going to get together that way, and it should be a great story.

The Event – Casualties of War

     The flight 514 survivors are all in quarantine because they are getting sick, and Thomas wants all of the Alaska detainees, especially Sophia, released.  He finally does get Sophia (but no one else) released by the President, in exchange for providing an antidote for the sickness that could kill the flight 514 survivors.

     Sean and Leila are finally back together.  It took blackmailing Vicky with the threat to expose her son, whom she adopted after she and her team killed the rest of his family, but he got her to let Leila go.  I am very curious to find out more about Vicky.  I want to know if she is human or alien, and who she is working with, or for.  I also really want to know why they are so interested in Sean.

     I try not to read commentary regarding the shows I watch until after I watch them, but today I read a recap on TWOP (Television Without Pity) that suggested that the President’s wife may be one of “them”.  I hadn’t thought of that before, but after watching her in this episode, with that thought it mind, I think it’s definitely a possibility.

     I feel like the pace is really picking up now, and I am enjoying this show a lot more.  I can’t wait to see how the two divergent storylines, that of Sean and that of the President, come together.  The show has received a pick up for the entire season, so at least season 1 will play out as the creators and writers envisioned.  I hope that means we get some resolution to some things before the season ends.

Hawaii Five-0 – Nalowale

     I have to wonder…  I read a blind item, months ago about an actor on a new series who kept going to the writers about what he wanted for his character romantically.  The blind item further said that romance wasn’t really planned for the character, because it wasn’t what this show was about.  At the time my first thought was this show, and after this week, I am thinking about that blind item again, and thinking it really could have been Alex O’Loughlin on this show.

     I am already beginning to be concerned that Kona will continue to be bait this season.  While I like seeing her kick ass, I also have concerns that they are going to rely on her being in some form of distress as a cover or distraction too often.  Men can be crime victims too, if the storyline is right.  They just need to think a bit more creatively to make that happen.

Castle – Anatomy of a Murder

     I loved this episode!  So many Grey’s Anatomy references and winks and nods really made me smile.

     I am so in love with Castle, and I guess by extension, Nathan Fillion.  I really enjoy the chemistry among all the main characters, and especially between Castle and Beckett.  I know they may, slowly, be moving to Castle and Beckett actually having a romance, but I really believe the hoping and waiting for them to find each other in that way is ½ the fun of this show.  If they get together, then breakup, the relationship will forever be changed, and not for the better, in my opinion.  I don’t want them to be with other people, but I don’t want them together either.

     The case was good; I always enjoy watching them figure out the answer.

Desperate Housewives/Brothers & Sisters

Desperate Housewives – The Thing That Counts Is What’s Inside

     Is it bad that I enjoy the 30 second ads for Castle shown during DH more than I enjoy this show? 

     Lynette is stressed because she is “raising 5 kids”?  Aren’t 2 of them in college?  I know there are still responsibilities there, but they are pretty much raised, aren’t they?  So, she really only has 3 that she is still raising, which is actually LESS than when Penny was a baby and she had young twins, and another son, in addition to the baby.  I am sure there are tons of stay at home mothers out there that would like a nanny, but can’t afford one, so they make what they do work.  It makes me feel like Lynette is acting more like Gabby:  spoiled.

     So, Susan is going to delve deeper into the internet erotica/porn business.  Yippee:  Just what I want to see, more nearly naked Susan.  I am so over this storyline.  I am interested in who now knows Susan’s secret.  I believe it was Paul that picked up her billboard strip, but it also could have been Mike.  I would guess the writers probably haven’t decided who it is yet either, since they don’t seem to plan that far ahead, which is why right now it is a secret.

     I am glad Bree and Renee have decided to become friends, although it would have been fun to see them as adversaries for more than one episode.  Think of the damage they could have done to each other.

     Gabby is, of course, being selfish.  I have nothing else to say about this storyline right now.

Brothers & Sisters – A Righteous Kiss

     Cooper’s not even in Jr High yet, is he?  Yet they are doing Romeo and Juliet?  A play with suicide and kissing… not the most appropriate material for children, is it?  Not to mention the dialogue would be horribly difficult for a child that age to memorize.  It felt a bit unrealistic to me, although I don’t have children, so what do I know?

     I did love that Sarah told off the two mothers who were making her life difficult, but that she was trying to impress.  They were snobs who looked down on her relationship with Luc, while both of them have relationship issues of their own.  Neither of them had the right to cast the first stone.

     Justin and Rebecca finally said goodbye, and she is heading to NYC to follow her dream.  I feel badly for Rebecca, since Holly still doesn’t feel for her the way a mother should feel for her daughter.  The head trauma Holly suffered in the accident just isn’t improving, and while she seems to like talking to Rebecca, she doesn’t feel the love for her, because Holly just doesn’t really remember her.

     Poor Saul thought he might have a chance at love, but again it was a miss.  He told the man he wanted to be involved with that he is HIV positive, and because Charlie had already loved someone who died from an AIDS related illness, he just couldn’t handle it.

     Kitty and her new Ojai man spent some time together and bantered back and forth.  She didn’t want to admit she likes him, but finally did.  I still am not happy they are cramming this new man down our throats, but at least he is growing on me.

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods – Officer Down

     I am really enjoying this show, and the characters.  This episode centered on the death of a beat cop, and catching her killers.  Her killer was eventually shot and killed by the police, who basically used him as target practice.

     The family dynamics made this episode for me.  I don’t really have much to say about this episode, but I did enjoy it.

Big Bang Theory/Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice/The Mentalist/Fringe

The Big Bang Theory – The Hot Troll Deviation

     Katee Sackhoff and George Takei guest starred, and while I am not usually a fan of stunt casting, these two were perfect as Howard’s fantasy people.  Katee was meant to be his fantasy woman, while George was there, in Howard’s fantasy, as kind of a spoiler.  They were funny, and not afraid to poke a little fun at their sci-fi roots. 

     I am glad Howard and Bernadette are going to start dating again.  I like how sweet she is, and she really softens his annoying edges.

     Raj and Sheldon are working together, and Raj moved a monstrous desk into Sheldon’s office, after Sheldon wouldn’t buy him one from his project budget.  He told Raj he could buy one himself and Raj basically took up more than ¼ of the office space.  They continued to escalate annoying each other in turn, and I don’t think that plot is over.  I have no idea where this story will go, and I don’t even know what they are working on together, but the brief glimpse of them shooting each other with marshmallow guns made me want more.

     Not much of a storyline for Leonard or Penny this week.  There are going to be a couple of eps coming up that Penny won’t be in at all, because Kaley broke her leg and had to be written out of two episodes.  I’ll be interested to see what they say about her absence, since they are not writing her broken leg into the show.

Grey’s Anatomy – Can’t Fight Biology

     Frances Conroy guest starred.  She confessed to intentionally driving into the laundry mat, because she was so angry and jealous of the man to whom she was married, who went to live with another woman.  I totally didn’t expect that, and when she thought she was covered by doctor-patient confidentiality, but was told that only applied to medical information, not legal information, I was amused. 

     What was up with Avery in this episode?  It was like he was trying some Jedi mind trick on Teddy.  He was using his sex appeal and his eyes to work her, to get into surgery and do a procedure.  She totally called him on it though, which was excellent.

     Poor Meredith has a hostile uterus, which seems to be a catch all for fertility problems in women these days.  I have heard it more than once already this season although I can’t remember what other show featured it recently.  I don’t have any idea how common that is, but it seems far more common than I would expect based on what I watch lately.

     I really enjoyed the jealousy and competition that Lexi felt toward April.  Meredith should have seen, and understood, why Lexi was having a difficult time with how close she is getting to April.  Lexi really wants to be Meredith’s go to person, since she IS her sister, and for Mer to be taking April under her wing as she has, while still not embracing Lexi as her sister hurt.  I was glad Lexi told Meredith about her feelings. 

     It’s so nice that there really aren’t many secrets between any of the characters on the show this season.  The shooting last season seems to have knocked some sense into all of them, and knocked the secrets out of them.  It’s good to see some honesty among friends.

     And Cristina and Owen are going to live in an old firehouse!!!! 

Private Practice –

A Better Place

to Be

     This episode made me sad.  I feel terrible for Betsy and while I know that none of these doctors are equipped mentally or emotionally to deal with taking Betsy in permanently, but that didn’t make it any easier to watch them let her get put into the system.  I hope that Violet was wrong, and what they did was not a bad thing, but I also don’t think this is the end of the story, that we are going to see Betsy again, and that we are going to find out it was indeed a bad thing.

The Mentalist – The Red Carpet Treatment

     Patrick had to work a case in which a convicted felon was released due to DNA evidence clearing him, and then he was killed.  Eventually we found out that the DNA evidence was faked by the original victim’s husband (Jack Coleman, welcome back to my TV!), and that he had every intention of killing the man who killed his wife once he was released.  The problem was, when he got to the released convict, he had already been killed, by the jealous husband of a woman who had been corresponding with the convict in jail.  It’s complicated enough explaining this much, without getting into even more convoluted detail. 

     Patrick asked the husband if all the waiting, planning, and evidence tampering had been worth it, and the husband said it was.  That was the essential part of this episode, because it reflected Patrick’s own obsession with Red John.  I think it will keep Patrick on course to continue going after Red John, and I don’t think he will stop until he finds him.

Fringe – Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?

     Back in our universe with Fauxlivia this week, but I didn’t feel like anything really happened tonight.  It seemed like a set-up episode for what’s to come, but it didn’t even keep my attention that well.  I am sad to see Newton go, since I am a fan of Sebastian Roche, but I think it had to be done to move the plot ahead.  At least now Walter knows how to get the information discs out of the shapeshifters, so if they capture/disable another one, it will be easier for them to retrieve. 

     Also, it appears Fauxlivia and Peter had sex, as the episode faded out.  I am worried about what’s going to happen to Peter when Olivia comes back, and how this is going to affect his relationship with her.