Week in Review, Oct 1 to 7

I didn't listen to any new music this week, nor watch any new movies, nor play any new video games, nor finish a book, so it's back to all TV, all the time in this Week in Review.

The Week in Television

I did manage to catch up on most of the missed TV from last week, so here's some quick thoughts: American Dad (5x1) was in typical sometimes inspired, sometimes tired form; The Simpsons (21x1) was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad!), and had flashes of brilliance, but felt way too much like a mix and mash retread of a couple of classic episodes; House (6x2) was an okay attempt at a series reboot, but featured a ridiculously sci-fi video game concept that constantly took me out of the House universe; Modern Family (1x2) was the second funniest thing I saw all week, after Curb, earning this series a permanent place on my watchlist.

Thanks to two sick days at the start of this week, I was able to watch every TV show on my list this week (with the exception of Merlin, but I'm in no rush to watch that, and am two weeks behind there). It's nice to start off the new week with no backlog.

Thursday, October 1st
Now this is more like it!: Fringe (2x3)
The gang deals with the recession in the most ridiculous and hilarious ways possible: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (5x3)
For the first time in the history of this show, I didn't see the end coming: The Mentalist (2x2)
Good, but not great; too much Jim and Michael, not enough Andy: The Office (6x3)
Much, much better than last week; maybe even funnier than The Office this week: Parks and Recreation (2x3)

Fringe is at its best when it is clear that the crazy-shit-of-the-week ties into the bigger mythology, and "Fracture" delivered there. We still have no answers about what Olivia learned from William Bell, but the story is developing nicely, and I don't mind a wait if the payoff is worth it. It was a little strange to have no sign of Charlie this week, but I guess that would have been an unnecessary distraction.

Parks and Recreation's "Beauty Pageant" was possibly the series' best episode to date. The more Tom Haverford, the better, I say! Plus, finally some good use of the criminally underused April. I wasn't a fan of last week's episode at all, but I will admit that the introduction of officer Dave (Louis C.K.) as Leslie Knope's new love interest was the highlight. That storyline is already paying off with some big laughs.

Friday, October 2nd
The most intellectual series on TV; even a mediocre filler episode can be intriguing: Dollhouse (2x2)

Sunday, October 4th
Entertaining as ever--and wow, Lance is an asshole!: The Amazing Race (15x2)
What do you even say?--sometimes inspired, sometimes tired, as always (also see 5x1): American Dad (5x2)
The therapist sequences were funny, but this was the weakest episode so far: Bored to Death (1x3)
The beginning of the Seinfeld reunion does not disappoint: Curb Your Enthusiasm (7x3)
An excellent, tension-packed episode, and with barely any annoying baby action: Dexter (4x2)
Other than poor Turtle, a ridiculously happy ending for everyone: Entourage (6x12)
If not for Quagmire discovering internet porn, this would have been a strangely boring episode: The Family Guy (8x2)
That's two episodes in a row that weren't awful--still not great, though: The Simpsons (21x2)

Curb Your Enthusiasm's "The Reunion" was even better than I expected. All the principals from Seinfeld are here, and many are funnier than ever. Jason Alexander, in particular, delivers some huge laughs in this episode. As you would expect from the twisted mind of Larry David, there are numerous ridiculous complications with hilarious solutions. I can't wait to see how this Seinfeld reunion storyline plays out over this season.

Entourage's sixth season finale, "Give a Little Bit," features so many happy endings that it felt too sickly-sweet. The best happy ending was Lloyd and Ari, back together, better than ever. Their storyline was the highlight of a really weak season, so it makes sense that their ending would have the most earned payoff. The biggest WTF happy ending was Eric and Sloane getting back together. Turtle is still saddled with a lame relationship storyline that belongs on a different show. And Vince still has no storyline whatsoever. And just when I start wondering again why I even watch this fucking lame show, Matt Damon shows up in a scene stealing guest spot.

Monday, October 5th
A great A-plot (Sheldon, Penny, and chocolates) with an only okay B-plot: The Big Bang Theory (3x3)
Bizarre, disjointed, pointless, silly, nonsensical; this was a sad swan song for the usually awesome Bryan Fuller: Heroes (4x4)
The marginally kinder, gentler House is fun--but Foreman and Chase are fucking awful doctors!: House (6x3)

Wednesday, October 7th
Not as brilliantly funny as last week, but I still laughed throughout: Modern Family (1x3)
Some moments of genius, but overall a disappointing return: South Park (13x8)

Modern Family is not the type of show that I normally like. It's more grounded in the reality of family and relationships than most comedies I enjoy. Not that there aren't moments of wonderful absurdity, but most of the humour comes from hilarious characters dealing with believable family challenges. This is unquestionably the funniest new show this year.