Isn’t it over yet?

Last night was the last PROJECT RUNWAY challenge before Fashion Week and the designs that came down the runway were quite representative of this season - uninspired, safe and without a strong point of view.

Much was made about the behind-the-scenes drama leading up to this season of PROJECT RUNWAY. The show left Bravo and moved to Lifetime. Production moved from New York to L.A.. Lawsuits galore. But what was left behind in all of the chaos was the sense of excitement that accompanied past seasons. There was no flair - in the designs or with the designers. Reality shows, even competition based shows such as this, rely on the personality of the contestants to drive each episode. We don’t need catfights, but we do need some kind of spark to keep the show interesting. That spark can come from over the top designs like that of Chris March. Or over the top personalities like Christian Siriano. This season the only spark we got was from Irina’s catty comments ripping apart talent of the other contestants. And it didn’t matter if it was true or not, it was still boring and petty.

There were no risks this season, on either side of the camera. Mediocre designers stayed well past their time. The producers seemed to put in no effort in creating interesting challenges. As a result the more mundane aspects of the show, such as Heidi’s robot-like speeches, stood out that much more. Even Tim Gunn, a man worthy of worship, seemed bored.

Overall there was no sense of progression this season. The tasks didn’t challenge the designers to grow. There was no evolution of talent. Without that, there’s not much to the show if you ask me.

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Can I just say that I was really creeped out by the opening scene of this episode? Maybe it struck a chord because today is my own wedding anniversary and the thought of my husband planning a nice surprise for me and then turning to dust in front of my very eyes is beyond horrific. Or maybe it is because my television inexplicably turned itself off in the middle of the day yesterday (probably should have been doing something more productive anyway)…either way, the first few minutes were pretty darn scary for a TV show!

Russian Fringe Science
The body of the husband that turned to dust opens up a case that rings a bell with Agent Broyles. Broyles had seen a similar phenomenon four years ago in DC. Multiple people, linked to a particular hospital, had turned to dust. At that time, Agent Broyles had received a call from an Eastern European man who said that the murders would end if Broyles could find someone to solve a particular formula. Broyles was unsuccessful in obtaining a solution, but the murders inexplicably stopped and he thought it was over…until now.

The team learns that the murdered husband had been at Latchmere General Hospital, visiting his mother, the day of his murder. They begin their investigation there, looking specifically for an Eastern European employee who had previously worked at the DC hospital where the previous murders had occurred. They find a suspect named Thomas Koslov, who is a night nurse in the coma ward.

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Now y’all, I don’t want to get too carried away here, but last night was a little epic! And we can pretty much attribute it all to Lexi, who is my favorite female vampire since Pam on True Blood. And I think I even liked her MORE than Pam, so suck on that for awhile. Also, vampire/bloodsucking pun!

Her arrival was perfectly timed, because needed someone to seriously lighten Stefan up, which she did, and to force the Stefan and Elena storyline out of its standoff, which she also did. And ladies, can I get a big “hell yeah” (Dixie Chicks-style) for having an awesome, strong, funny female character who isn’t just around to cause drama and steal boyfriends? Lexi was perfect, and I was really hoping we’d get to see her again.

Obviously, that won’t be happening because Damon enacted his diabolical plan, gained the trust of the sheriff by loading her up with vervain for her, her family, the council, AND all her deputies, and then set Lexi up so that he could stake her. You all know how much I love Damon, how hot and funny I think he is and how absolutely essential to the show, but I swear at that moment, I wanted to stake him myself, and I was minorly disappointed when Stefan didn’t FINISH HIM! (Mortal Kombat-style), although I did manage to get a grip on myself before it was all over. I don’t really want you dead, Damon!

Although, you know, I really don’t think that was the only thing. Damon was also a HUGE jerk to Caroline, and making girls cry and feel bad about themselves isn’t going to win any points with me. He was HARSH. And it just grosses me out how he can be so secretly nice to Elena and so positively revolting with Caroline. Thankfully Matt stepped in to carry drunk Caroline home, and can I just say that I kind of love that pairing? I wasn’t sure I would when she stumbled into his booth, but it makes total sense. They’re very different people, but they’re going through similar issues of feeling abandoned and unloved and rejected, and Matt does love playing hero to the damaged girl types. And I really think he might be able to bring out a better side of Caroline, and I really like both of them and would like to see both of them happy, so at this point, I’m pretty much all for it.

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I’m really starting to run out of ways to say that SUPERNATURAL is awesome. Thursday’s episode was not only another fantastic hour but I agree with many others who called it the best episode of the season so far (in a season made of win). I would probably go so far as to rank it in the top five episodes ever. We got stellar comedy as well as some pretty significant movement on the mythology front too. In her post about the episode, Kath compared it to Buffy’s “Once More, With Feeling” in terms of tone which I thought was so apt. It really did have that outrageous comedic aspect combined with very dark, heavy mythology progression. I think Joss would approve. To mark the occasion, this review/recap is long, so get comfy before you continue.

We begin with an announcement that “Supernatural has been taped before a live studio audience”. And then, Supernatural the Sitcom comes on, complete with lame jokes, silly plots and cheery set decoration. But the best….the best was by far the opening credit sequence. It was pitch-perfect, from the font of the credits and the original song, to the shots of the Winchester brothers living their zany, hilarious, hunter lifestyle. Best shot ever? I say it’s a tie between the two-person bike, and Sam freaking out at the site of a person with a sheet thrown over them hiding in a closet. The whole sequence is the very definition of the phrase “instant classic”. Please take a moment to bask in the genius:

We flash back to two days earlier, in normal world (well, normal SUPERNATURAL world), which started innocently enough with a man decapitated either by a bear or The Incredible Hulk in his own bedroom. Wait…what? The Incredible Hulk, you say? Why, this sounds suspiciously like the Trickster, our old friend from Mystery Spot (Dean dies over and over and over again) and Tall Tales (alien abduction and probing, anyone?). Not to mention that Sam uncovers a stash of candy wrappers in the room, and the Trickster is a known sweet tooth.

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Last night’s episode of THE OFFICE was kind of like Michael’s relationship with Helene.  It started off with great promise, but came off the hinges fast. While there were some really funny moments, on the whole it wasn’t one of my favorite episodes.

It has to be said - Michael Scott would make for a truly fascinating psychological case study. Can you imagine the layers that could be peeled back when examining the psyche of someone as emotionally stunted as Michael Scott? He is abnormally complex yet at the same time the most simple of men.  His needs in life are basic. He wants to be loved.  Now how he goes about searching for that love is a whole other matter better left for the professionals.

Last night the inevitable happened.  Michael finally got Jim and Pam to acknowledge his relationship with Pam’s mother, Helene, by insisting that the four of them have lunch together to celebrate Helene’s birthday.  Try as she may, Pam couldn’t escape the encounter. Not even a last minute faux emergency shipping issue could keep her away. It was time to face the music.

Despite her protests, Pam seemed to be taken back at just how happy Michael made her mother. Not only did he arrange an extra special birthday lunch (with full on decorations), but he also gave Helene a heartfelt, overly sentimental scrapbook with reminders of their relationship to date.  How very Jim Halpert of him.  How could Pam be against a relationship that made her mother smile? Oh right, because at the end of the day it was still Michael.

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An open letter to former BONES fans:

If you have stopped watching BONES, please come back. I know that TV is all about loyalty. Some of you may have started watching the show out of loyalty to David Boreanaz from his Angel days. And maybe some of you have stopped watching because of your loyalty to Zack.

But let me encourage you to give the show another shot. If you want to pretend the past season didn’t happen, that is fine by me. We won’t talk about it. Start at the beginning of this season and watch up until now. I think you will be pleased.

For those of you who have continued to watch BONES over the past four + seasons, and to those of you who continue to leave comments here on GMMR, I am grateful for your loyalty.

~Seels

But let’s get down to this episode!

THE CASE:

The ‘Woodchucks’, a local Wilderness Girl Scouts/ Brennan sycophants kind of group discovers a dead body in water. They do everything right (but still must learn), and catalog the remains, crime scene, and probably some diatomaceous earth in there somewhere, too, right? The body is determined (to Booth’s incredulity) to be half man- half chicken. It’s up to him to put the face out on the FBI database to see if they get any hits. And sure enough they do!

The man is an employee at a chicken factory(?) and because he didn’t take the necessary precautions against the chemicals used at the plant, his face and sinuses are becoming deformed. It’s then up to the whole team to find out who killed him. Suspects include the victim’s wife, some radical protestors and a baker who opposes the chicken smell.

THE SQUINTS:

• Wendell: Were he and Hodgins wearing the same shirt at the beginning of the ep? And again at the end? Was that some sort of (non) subtle clue to show us that somehow Wendell was a poser? Or second best? I actually did think it was sweet of him to shell out the $45.

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TGIF my friends! Did you survive the Thursday night TV lineup?  I hope so. Check back throughout the day as we’ll have reviews and discussions on many of last night’s shows including BONES, THE OFFICE, SUPERNATURAL, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and more.

As for tonight’s lineup, well there’s plenty to choose from.  But my one pick would be WHITE COLLAR at 10pm on USA. I’m loving this show. I realize that with all of my health woes I haven’t been writing enough lately, but I’m going to start to fold WHITE COLLAR into the mix. Check back tomorrow for a full episode discussion! Who needs pain meds when there’s Matt Bomer to look at.

Don’t forget to check out John Krasinski from THE OFFICE on THE VIEW this morning.  He’ll also be live chatting on Boston.com at 12pm EST (It’s 9am now. So that leaves me three hours to find a wheelchair and someone with a wheelchair van to drive me into work today. I’m sure my bosses will understand, right? I mean I’ve been out of work for a month, and I just happen to show up the one day John Krasinski is in the office.  Yeah, I’m sure they wouldn’t care. But seriously - JKras visits my office when I’m not there? Cruel.)

If you’re going out tonight (or going to bed early), set those DVRs because Cory Monteith from GLEE with be on with Conan.  Ian Somerholder from THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is talking with Jimmy Fallon. And Ricky Gervais is on Letterman.

Check out a few other shows on tonight.

Ugly Betty | 8pm on ABC
“Plus None”
Matt asks someone to be his “plus one” at Wilhelmina’s fundraiser; Daniel hires Natalie to be his assistant, making Betty feel obsolete; Amanda keeps a secret from Betty; Daniel discovers that his mother has a history with Cal Hartley.

Smallville | 8pm on The CW
“Kandor”
Jor-El comes to the Kent farm looking for his son but finds Chloe instead; Zod asks Tess for help finding the Blur; Clark tries to find Jor-El before Zod does.

Monk | 9pm on USA
“Mr. Monk Goes Camping”
To woo the only holdout on the reinstatement committee, Monk accompanies Lt. Disher on a scouting trip.

Stargate Universe | 9pm on SyFy
“Earth”
A high-risk operation may be able to return everyone who is trapped aboard the Destiny to Earth; Eli and Chloe are allowed to use the communication stones to visit Earth.

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THE OFFICE’s John Krasinski will be screening his directorial debut, BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN, this weekend at the Kendall Square Theatre in Cambridge, MA.

Friday, November 6th
7PM Show - Intro & Q&A
9:45PM Show - Intro

Saturday, November 7th
7PM Show - Intro & Q&A
9:45PM Show - Intro

John will also be signing “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men” film postcards at the Brookline Booksmith on Saturday, November 7th at 4pm.

My back issues have me stuck in the house or else you know there is no way I would miss this. John Krasinski, my favorite TV actor, back home in Boston and I can’t be there?! I’m so bummed. Doesn’t seem fair now does it? But I hope you can make it. Word is that the screenings are sold out, but keep trying.

UPDATE: John Krasinski will be LIVE chatting on Boston.com tomorrow at noon.  Be sure to check it out and get your questions in.

Yes, Mr. Krasinski is actually coming to my office tomorrow and I’m stuck at home.  Life is so cruel sometimes.

Subtle Sexuality, the hottest new girl group out of Scranton, PA has some of the best choreographers in the business designing their killed dance moves.  Choreographers Tony G. and Lisa Thompson show you how Subtle Sexuality picked up those fly dance moves.

Uh oh. It’s Thursday. Usually not an ‘uh oh’ kind of day, but since I still haven’t seen any Wednesday night TV, it’s a bit ‘uh oh’ for yours truly.  But fear not. I will get to it all.  We’ve got Team GMMR all over tonight’s schedule so there will be plenty to talk about tomorrow. I hope you’ll join us.

I got a bit of a head start on tonight’s TV. I’ve already posted about tonight’s brazilliant SUPERNATURAL episode, so if you haven’t had a chance to read it, be sure to check it out. Don’t worry, I’ve kept the spoilers to a minimum. And just this morning I got to check out tonight’s PARKS AND RECREATION which is Ron Swans-errific! Absolutely hilarious. I love me some Megan Mullally (you know, as long as she’s not hosting a talk show). Hopefully you (and Erik) will like it as much as I did.

One more thing.  Hang on to your hats because this might come as a shock, but I’m really looking forward to GREY’S ANATOMY tonight.  Yup! The past two episodes have been really good.  Has they GREY’S of old returned or are they just baiting me? If it’s good enough, maybe I’ll be inspired to talk GREY’S tomorrow.

All this, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and THE OFFICE.  I’m certainly spoiled tonight.

UPDATE: In my haste I forgot to add Fox’s Thursday night shows.  BONES and FRINGE are all new tonight so please be sure to check them out.

Here are just a few shows worthy of your time tonight.

Flash Forward | 8pm on ABC
“The Gift”
Mark, Demetri, Gough and MI-6 Agent Fiona Banks (Alex Kingston) look into a Blue Hand club’s possible connection to recent suicides; Aaron gets a surprise visit from a former army pal of his late daughter.

The Vampire Diaries | 8pm on The CW
“162 Candles”
Stefan is visited by one of his oldest friends; Elena tries to avoid Stefan; Jeremy’s behavior surprises Jenna and Elena; Damon’s offer to help Sheriff Forbes has tragic results.

Survivor: Samoa | 8pm on CBS
“All Hell Breaks Loose”
In anticipation of the tribes’ merger, the outnumbered Foa Foa tribe devises a strategy to make alliances with Galu’s strongest players; a contestant is eliminated.

Bones | 8pm on CBS
“The Tough Man in the Tender Chicken”
When the remains of an heir to a controversial chicken farm turn up on a riverbank, a murder suspect may be found in the deceased’s long list of enemies, including animal-rights activists and disgruntled neighbors.

Community | 8:00pm on NBC
“Home Economics”
Study group members try to help Jeff when they learn he is living out of his car; Pierce joins Vaughn’s (Eric Christian Olsen) band.

(The rest of Thursday night’s lineup is after the jump)

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