2004 Television Log
Return home.
A note about these notations: 2.1, for example, would mean the first episode
of the second season. These numbers are followed by the title of the episode.
The year = the year the episode first aired; the name = the writer. "s"
stands for story credit; "t" stands for teleplay credit.
001. (02 Jan) Alias, 2.19: Endgame
(2003, Sean Gerace) ***
002. (03 Jan) Alias, 2.20: Countdown
(2003, s: R.P. Gaborno, t: Jeff Pinker) ***1/2
003. (03 Jan) Alias, 2.21: Second
Double (2003, s: Breen Frazier, t: Crystal Nix Hines) ***1/2
004. (03 Jan) Alias, 2.22: The
Telling (2003, J.J. Abrams) ****
005. (05 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.2: Crossroads/ (1998, Dana Baratta) *1/2
006. (05 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.3: Alternative Lifestyles/ (1998, Mike White) *1/2
007. (06 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.4: Tamara's Return/ (1998, Mike White) *1/2
008. (08 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.5: Full Moon Rising (1998, Dana Baratta) ***1/2
009. (09 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.6: The Dance/ (1998, Jon Harmon Feldman) **
010. (11 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.7: The All-Nighter/ (1998, Greg Berlanti) *1/2
011. (14 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.8: The Reluctant Hero (1998, Shelley Meals, Darin Goldberg) **
012. (16 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.2: Ben's Birthday Party (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***1/2
013. (16 Jan) The Simpsons, 3.7:
Treehouse of Horror II (1991, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Jeff Martin, George Meyer,
Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder) **
014. (16 Jan) /The Simpsons,
3.13: Radio Bart/ (1992, Jon Vitti) **1/2
015. (16 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.9: The Election (1998, Darin Goldberg, Shelley Meals) **1/2
016. (17 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.1: The Pants Tent (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
017. (17 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.2: Ted and Mary (2000, dr. David Steinberg) ****
018. (17 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.3: Porno Gil (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
019. (17 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.4: The Bracelet (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
020. (18 Jan) Larry David: Curb
Your Enthusiasm [pilot] (1999, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****1/2
021. (18 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.5: Interior Decorator (2000, dir. Andy Ackerman) ****
022. (18 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.6: The Wire (2000, dir. Larry Charles) ****
023. (18 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.7: Aamco (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***1/2
024. (18 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.3: The Blind Date (2004, dir. Larry Charles) **1/2
025. (18 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.8: Beloved Aunt (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
026. (19 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.9: Affirmative Action (2000, dir. Bryan Gordon) ***1/2
027. (19 Jan) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
1.10: The Group (2000, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***
028. (21 Jan) DuckTales, 1.11:
Money Vanishes (1987, Mark Zaslove) *1/2
029. (22 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.10: High Risk Behavior/ (1999, Jenny Bicks) **1/2
030. (24 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.11: Sex, She Wrote (1999, Mike White, Greg Berlanti) **
031. (27 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.12: Uncharted Waters (1999, Dana Baratta, Mike White) **1/2
032. (30 Jan) /Dawson's Creek,
2.13: His Leading Lady/ (1999, Shelley Meals, Darin Goldberg) **1/2
033. (31 Jan) Dawson's Creek,
2.14: To Be or Not To Be... (1999, Greg Berlanti) **1/2
034. (01 Feb) /Dawson's Creek,
2.15: ...That is the Question/ (1999, Kevin Williamson, Greg Berlanti) ***
035. (01 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.16: Be Careful What You Wish For (1999, Heidi Ferrer) **1/2
036. (02 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.17: Psychic Friends (1999, Dana Baratta) **1/2
037. (06 Feb) /Dawson's Creek,
2.18: A Perfect Wedding/ (1999, Mike White) **1/2
038. (07 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.19: Abby Morgan, Rest in Peace (1999, Mike White) ***1/2
039. (08 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.20: Reunited (1999, Greg Berlanti) **1/2
040. (10 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.21: Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes (1999, Dana Baratta) **
041. (11 Feb) Dawson's Creek,
2.22: Parental Discretion Advised (1999, Greg Berlanti) **
042. (12 Feb) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
3.4: The Nanny From Hell (2002, dir. Larry Charles) ***
043. (12 Feb) /Felicity, 1.1:
Pilot/ (1998, J.J. Abrams) **1/2
044. (13 Feb) /Felicity, 1.2:
The Last Stand/ (1998, J.J. Abrams) **1/2
045. (14 Feb) /Felicity, 1.3:
Hot Objects/ (1998, J.J. Abrams) **
046. (14 Feb) /Felicity, 1.4:
Boggled/ (1998, Mimi Schmir, J.J. Abrams) **
047. (15 Feb) /Felicity, 1.5:
Spooked/ (1998, Jennifer Levin) **1/2
048. (17 Feb) The Office, 1.1:
Downsize (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***
049. (18 Feb) The Office, 1.2:
Work Experience (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***1/2
050. (19 Feb) The Office, 1.3:
The Quiz (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***1/2
051. (27 Feb) The Office, 1.4:
Training (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****1/2
052. (28 Feb) The Office, 1.5:
New Girl (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****
053. (28 Feb) The Office, 1.6:
Judgment (2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****
054. (01 Mar) /The Sopranos,
3.1: Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood/ (2001, David Chase) ***
055. (03 Mar) Once and Again,
1.1: Pilot (1999, s: Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, t: M. Herskovitz) ***
056. (03 Mar) Once and Again,
1.2: Let's Spend the Night Together (1999, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick)
***1/2
057. (03 Mar) Once and Again,
1.3: The Scarlet Letter Jacket (1999, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) **1/2
058. (04 Mar) Once and Again,
1.4: Liars and Other Strangers (1999, Winnie Holzman) ***1/2
059. (04 Mar) Once and Again,
1.5: There Be Dragons (1999, Liberty Godshall) ***1/2
060. (05 Mar) Once and Again,
1.6: A Dream Deferred (1999, Jan Oxenberg) ****1/2
061. (05 Mar) Once and Again,
1.7: The Ex-Files (1999, Winnie Holzman) ****
062. (05 Mar) Once and Again,
1.8: The Past is Prologue (1999, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) ***1/2
063. (06 Mar) Once and Again,
1.9: Outside Hearts (1999, Alexa Junge) ****
064. (06 Mar) Once and Again,
1.10: Thanksgiving (1999, Donald Margulies) *****
065. (07 Mar) Once and Again,
1.11: Where There's Smoke (1999, Michael Weller) *****
066. (07 Mar) Once and Again,
1.12: The Gingerbread House (1999, s: Pamela Gray, t: P. Gray, Winnie Holzman)
*****
067. (07 Mar) Once and Again,
1.13: Mediation (2000, Pamela Gray) ****1/2
068. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.14: Sneaky Feelings (2000, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****
069. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.15: The Mystery Dance (2000, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****1/2
070. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.16: Daddy's Girl (2000, Liberty Godshall) ****
071. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.17: Unfinished Business (2000, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) *****
072. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.18: Strangers and Brothers (2000, Richard Kramer) *****
073. (08 Mar) Once and Again,
1.19: Cat-In-Hat (2000, Michael Weller) ***1/2
074. (09 Mar) Cracking Up, 1.1:
Pilot (2004, Mike White) *
075. (09 Mar) Once and Again,
1.20: My Brilliant Career (2000, Jan Oxenberg) ****
076. (09 Mar) Once and Again,
1.21: Letting Go (2000, Alexa Junge) ****
077. (09 Mar) Once and Again,
1.22: A Door, About to Open (2000, Winnie Holzman) ****
078. (10 Mar) /Felicity, 1.6:
Cheating/ (1998, Ed Redlich) *1/2
079. (11 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.1: Mel's Offer (2004, dir. Larry Charles) **1/2
080. (11 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.4: The Weatherman (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) **1/2
081. (11 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.5: The 5 Wood (2004, dir. Bryan Gregory) ***
082. (11 Mar) Sex and the City,
2.1: Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1999, Michael Patrick King) *1/2
083. (11 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.6: The Car Pool Lane (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***
084. (11 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.7: The Surrogate (2004, dir. Larry Charles) ***
085. (12 Mar) Wonderfalls, 1.1:
Wax Lion (2004, s: Todd Holland, Bryan Fuller, t: B. Fuller) **
086. (12 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.8: Wandering Bear (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***
087. (12 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.9: The Survivor (2004, dir. Larry Charles) ****
088. (12 Mar) /Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.2: Ben's Birthday Party/ (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***1/2
089. (12 Mar) /Felicity, 1.7:
Drawing the Line, Part 1/ (1998, J.J. Abrams) **
090. (13 Mar) /Six Feet Under,
1.1: Pilot/ (2001, Alan Ball) ****
091. (13 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.4:
The Dog/ (1991, Larry David) **1/2
092. (13 Mar) Six Feet Under,
1.2: The Will (2001, Christian Williams) ***
093. (14 Mar) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
4.10: Opening Night (2004, dir. Robert B. Weide) ***1/2
094. (14 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.5:
The Library/ (1991, Larry Charles) ***
095. (14 Mar) Six Feet Under,
1.3: The Foot (2001, Bruce Eric Kaplan) ***1/2
096. (15 Mar) Cracking Up, 1.3:
Scared Straight (2004, Rebecca Hughes) *1/2
097. (15 Mar) Six Feet Under,
1.4: Familia (2001, Laurence Andries) **1/2
098. (16 Mar) DuckTales, 1.48:
Jungle Duck (1987, Judy Zook) *
099. (16 Mar) /Seinfeld, 2.11:
The Chinese Restaurant/ (1991, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld) ****
100. (16 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.6:
The Parking Garage/ (1991, Larry David) ****
101. (16 Mar) Century City, 1.1:
Pilot (2004, Ed Zuckerman) *1/2
102. (16 Mar) /Seinfeld, 7.7:
The Secret Code/ (1995, Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer) ****
103. (17 Mar) South Park, 8.1:
Good Times With Weapons (2004, Trey Parker) **
104. (17 Mar) /Seinfeld, 9.2:
The Voice/ (1997, Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, David Mandel) ****
105. (17 Mar) /Seinfeld, 2.4:
The Phone Message/ (1991, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld) ****
106. (18 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.7:
The Cafe/ (1991, Tom Leopold) ***
107. (19 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.17:
The Boyfriend, Part 1/ (1992, Larry David, Larry Levin) ***1/2
108. (20 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.18:
The Boyfriend, Part 2/ (1992, Larry David, Larry Levin) ***1/2
109. (20 Mar) Wonderfalls, 1.2:
Karma Chameleon (2004, Tim Minear) *
110. (20 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.10:
The Stranded/ (1991, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Matt Goldman) ***1/2
111. (21 Mar) /Seinfeld, 9.5:
The Junk Mail/ (1997, Spike Feresten) ****
112. (21 Mar) Deadwood, 1.1:
Deadwood (2004, David Milch) **
113. (21 Mar) /Seinfeld, 7.10:
The Gum/ (1995, Tom Gammill, Max Pross) ****
114. (22 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.21:
The Letter/ (1992, Larry David) ****
115. (22 Mar) /Seinfeld, 7.11:
The Rye/ (1996, Carol Leifer) ***1/2
116. (22 Mar) /Seinfeld, 3.22:
The Parking Space/ (1992, Larry David, Greg Daniels) ****
117. (22 Mar) The Twilight Zone,
3.5: A Game of Pool (1961, George Clayton Johnson) ****
118. (22 Mar) /Seinfeld, 5.2:
The Puffy Shirt/ (1993, Larry David) ****
119. (23 Mar) ER, 1.1/1.2: 24
Hours (1994, Michael Crichton) ****1/2
120. (26 Mar) /Seinfeld, 5.4:
The Sniffing Accountant/ (1993, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld) ****
121. (29 Mar) Six Feet Under,
1.5: An Open Book (2001, Alan Ball) ***1/2
122. (31 Mar) Wonderfalls, 1.3:
Wound-Up Penguin (2004, Liz W. Garcia) 1/2
123. (01 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.6: The Room (2001, Christian Taylor) ****
124. (01 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.7: Brotherhood (2001, Christian Williams) ***1/2
125. (01 Apr) Karen Sisco, 1.8:
Dog Day Sisco (2004, Sebastian Gutierrez) **
126. (02 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.8: Crossroads (2001, Laurence Andries) ****
127. (02 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.9: Life's Too Short (2001, Christian Taylor) ***1/2
128. (02 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.10: The New Person (2001, Bruce Eric Kaplan) ***1/2
129. (03 Apr) /Seinfeld, 7.24:
The Invitations/ (1996, Larry David) ***1/2
130. (03 Apr) /Seinfeld, 9.12:
The Reverse Peephole/ (1998, Spike Feresten) ***1/2
131. (04 Apr) The Twilight Zone,
1.16: The Hitch-hiker (1960, s: Lucille Fletcher, t: Rod Serling) ****1/2
132. (06 Apr) Karen Sisco, 1.4:
Justice (2003, s: Charles H. Eglee, t: Robert Palm) **
133. (07 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.1: Pilot [uncut] (1999, Paul Feig) ****
134. (07 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.2: Beers and Weirs (1999, J. Elvis Weinstein, Judd Apatow) ****
135. (07 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.3: Tricks and Treats (1999, Paul Feig) ****
136. (10 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.4: Kim Kelly is My Friend (Unaired on NBC, Mike White) ****
137. (11 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.5: Tests and Breasts (1999, Bob Nickman) ***1/2
138. (11 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.6: I'm With the Band (1999, Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah) ***1/2
139. (12 Apr) Karen Sisco, 1.9:
No One's Girl (2004, s: John Landgraf, Jeffrey Fenner, t: J. Landgraf) **
140. (13 Apr) /Felicity, 1.8:
Drawing the Line, Part 2/ (1998, J.J. Abrams, Riley Weston) ***
141. (13 Apr) /Felicity, 1.9:
Thanksgiving/ (1998, Andrea Newman) ***
142. (13 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.11: The Trip (2001, Rick Cleveland) ***1/2
143. (14 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.12: A Private Life (2001, Kate Robin) ****
144. (14 Apr) Six Feet Under,
1.13: Knock, Knock (2001, Alan Ball) ***1/2
145. (15 Apr) Karen Sisco, 1.5:
Nostalgia (2003, Jason Smilovic) **
146. (16 Apr) Karen Sisco, 1.10:
He Was a Friend of Mine (2004, Peter Lefcourt) **1/2
147. (18 Apr) Felicity, 1.10:
Finally (1998, J.J. Abrams) ***1/2
148. (19 Apr) /Felicity, 1.11:
Gimme an O!/ (1999, Jennifer Levin) ***1/2
149. (20 Apr) /Felicity, 1.12:
Friends/ (1999, Gina Prince-Bythewood) **1/2
150. (20 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.7: Carded and Discarded (2000, Judd Apatow, Paul Feig) ****
151. (21 Apr) The Office, 2.1:
Episode 1 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***1/2
152. (22 Apr) The Office, 2.2:
Episode 2 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****
153. (22 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.8: Girlfriends and Boyfriends (2000, Patty Lin, Paul Feig) ***1/2
154. (25 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.9: We've Got Spirit (2000, Mike White) ****
155. (26 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.10: The Diary (2000, s: Judd Apatow, Rebecca Kirshner, t: R. Kirshner) ****1/2
156. (26 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.11: Looks and Books (2000, Paul Feig) ****
157. (27 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.12: The Garage Door (2000, Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah, Patty Lin) ****
158. (28 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.13: Chokin' and Tokin' (2000, Judd Apatow) ****
159. (29 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.14: Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers (Unaired on NBC, Judd Apatow, Bob Nickman)
****
160. (30 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.15: Noshing and Moshing (Unaired on NBC, J. Elvis Weinstein) ****1/2
161. (30 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.16: Smooching and Mooching (2000, Steve Bannos) ****
162. (30 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.17: The Little Things (2000, s: Jon Kasdan, J. Apatow, M. White, t: J. Kasdan)
****
163. (30 Apr) Freaks and Geeks,
1.18: Discos and Dragons (2000, Paul Feig) ****1/2
164. (02 May) The Office, 2.3:
Episode 3 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***1/2
165. (07 May) Gilmore girls,
1.1: Pilot (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
166. (08 May) Gilmore girls,
1.2: The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
167. (09 May) Gilmore girls,
1.3: Kill Me Now (2000, Joanne Waters) ****
168. (09 May) Gilmore girls,
1.4: The Deer-Hunters (2000, Jed Seidel) ***1/2
169. (09 May) Gilmore girls,
1.5: Cinnamon's Wake (2000, Daniel Palladino) ****
170. (10 May) Gilmore girls,
1.6: Rory's Birthday Parties (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) *****
171. (11 May) Gilmore girls,
1.7: Kiss and Tell (2000, Jenji Kohan) ****
172. (11 May) Gilmore girls,
1.8: Love & War & Snow (2000, Joan Binder Weiss) ****
173. (11 May) Gilmore girls,
1.9: Rory's Dance (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
174. (11 May) Gilmore girls,
1.10: Forgiveness and Stuff (2000, John Stephens) ****
175. (12 May) Gilmore girls,
1.11: Paris is Burning (2001, Joan Binder Weiss) ***1/2
176. (12 May) Gilmore girls,
1.12: Double Date (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***
177. (12 May) Gilmore girls,
1.13: Concert Interruptus (2001, Elaine Arata) ***
178. (13 May) Gilmore girls,
1.14: That Damn Donna Reed (2001, Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
179. (13 May) Gilmore girls,
1.15: Christopher Returns (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
180. (13 May) Gilmore girls,
1.16: Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers (2001, s: Joan Binder Weiss, t:
John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ****
181. (13 May) Gilmore girls,
1.17: The Breakup, Part II (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
182. (14 May) Gilmore girls,
1.18: The Third Lorelai (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
183. (14 May) Gilmore girls,
1.19: Emily in Wonderland (2001, John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ***1/2
184. (14 May) Gilmore girls,
1.20: P.S. I Lo... (2001, Elaine Arata, Joan Binder Weiss) ****
185. (14 May) Gilmore girls,
1.21: Love, Daisies and Troubadours (2001, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
186. (15 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.1: Gone for Goode (1993, Paul Attanasio) **1/2
187. (15 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.2: Ghost of a Chance (1993, s: Tom Fontana, t: Noel Behn) ***
188. (15 May) The Office, 2.4:
Episode 4 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ***1/2
189. (15 May) The Office, 2.5:
Episode 5 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****
190. (16 May) The Office, 2.6:
Episode 6 (2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant) ****1/2
191. (16 May) /The Critic, 1.1:
Pilot/ (1994, Mike Reiss, Al Jean) ***
192. (17 May) /Gilmore girls,
1.1: Pilot/ (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
193. (18 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.3: Night of the Dead Living (1993, s: Tom Fontana, Frank Pugliese,
t: F. Pugliese) ****1/2
194. (18 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.4: Son of a Gun (1993, s: Tom Fontana, t: James Yoshimura) ***1/2
195. (18 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.5: A Shot in the Dark (1993, s: Tom Fontana, t: Jorge Zamacona)
***1/2
196. (19 May) /Once and Again,
1.1: Pilot/ (1999, s: Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, t: M. Herskovitz) ****1/2
[first viewing: ***, though I can't fathom why]
197. (19 May) /Gilmore girls,
1.2: The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton/ (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
198. (20 May) /Once and Again,
1.2: Let's Spend the Night Together/ (1999, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick)
***1/2
199. (21 May) /Gilmore girls,
1.3: Kill Me Now/ (2000, Joanne Waters) ****
200. (22 May) /Gilmore girls,
1.4: The Deer-Hunters/ (2000, Jed Seidel) **** [first
viewing: ***1/2]
201. (23 May) /Gilmore girls,
1.5: Cinnamon's Wake/ (2000, Daniel Palladino) ****
202. (25 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.6: Three Men and Adena (1993, Tom Fontana) ****
203. (25 May) Homicide: Life
on the Street, 1.7: A Dog and Pony Show (1993, s: Tom Fontana, t: James Yoshimura)
****
204. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.1: Sadie, Sadie... (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
205. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.2: Hammers and Veils (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
206. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.3: Red Light on the Wedding Night (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****
207. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.4: The Road Trip to Harvard (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****
208. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.5: Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
209. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.6: Presenting Lorelai Gilmore (2001, Sheila R. Lawrence) ****
210. (26 May) Gilmore girls,
2.7: Like Mother, Like Daughter (2001, Joan Binder Weiss) ***1/2
211. (27 May) Gilmore girls,
2.8: The Ins & Outs of Inns (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
212. (27 May) Gilmore girls,
2.9: Run Away, Little Boy (2001, John Stephens) ****
213. (27 May) Gilmore girls,
2.10: The Bracebridge Dinner (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****
[Mmm, if only more filmed artwork climaxed with
some perfect concoction of furtive glances, mutilated snowmen, horse-drawn carriages
and hopeful resignation -- all set to the tune of Björk's inimitable "Human
Behavior" -- the world would be that much better a place.]
214. (27 May) Gilmore girls,
2.11: Secrets and Loans (2002, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ****1/2
[Among the darkest and most unforgiving episodes
of the first two seasons -- surprisingly, since "Secret and Loans" is
not as intractably woven into Season Two's major arcs as most other episodes are.
In fact, it's almost a relic from Season One: familiar material is being mined
-- Lorelai's need for her independence -- but the episode's slow burn leaves deep
marks, and a trapped Lorelai is at her rawest here, with Graham abandoning many
of her character's comedic shields and turning in a tour de force of venomous
frustration, sometimes even directed as harshly at Rory as her mother. Trivia
note: Directed by Lovely and Amazing's Nicole Holofcener.]
215. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.12: Richard in Stars Hollow (2002, Frank Lombardi) ****1/2
[Watch as the great Edward Herrmann brings
Gilmore girls all the pathos of an excellent Death of a Salesman
production; Richard's mood-swinging, see-sawing descent into obsolescence is one
of Season Two's most potent and unexpected treasures.]
216. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.13: A-Tisket, A-Tasket (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
217. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.14: It Should've Been Lorelai (2002, Daniel Palladino) ****
218. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.15: Lost and Found (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
219. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.16: There's the Rub (2002, Sheila R. Lawrence) ***1/2
220. (28 May) Gilmore girls,
2.17: Dead Uncles and Vegetables (2002, Daniel Palladino) ****
221. (29 May) Gilmore girls,
2.18: Back in the Saddle Again (2002, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ***1/2
222. (29 May) Gilmore girls,
2.19: Teach Me Tonight (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
[If only James Franco were playing Jess, this already
phenomenal episode would be a full-on masterpiece (and previous episodes featuring
Jess would shoot up accordingly... and then the world would spin backwards on
its axis, and then my head would explode) -- as played by the fairly bland Milo
Ventimiglia, however, Jess is still being written as too much of a Total Fucking
Prick for viewers to approach Rory's burgeoning sympathy and/or affection for
him. Yet this concern doesn't matter much when placed beside Lauren Graham's towering
performance, owning this episode like so many before; rarely has the fragility
of Lorelai's world -- which, as we see here, is ultimately nothing more than her
relationship with Rory -- been exposed in such perilous and tangible terms. Of
course, in typical Gilmore girls fashion, the heartrending is placed
squarely against the uproarious: The "A film by Kirk" closer, starring
Jon Polito (!) and Mary Lynn Rajskub (!), is the funniest mockery of short film
pretension I've ever seen, surpassing even Ghost World's "Mirror,
Father, Mirror" and The Simpsons' "Pukahontas."]
223. (29 May) Twin Peaks, 2.1:
Episode Eight (1990, s: Mark Frost, David Lynch, t: M. Frost) ***
[It's been over two years since I watched Season
One's brilliance, but this two-hour Season Two commencement -- directed by Lynch
himself -- just can't compare. While "Episode Eight" contains some of
the inordinately creepy, paralyzing stillness (most prominently demonstrated via
extreme close-ups) which marks all of Lynch's best work, the pernicious seeds
of overindulgence (a disease which I hear infects much of the infamous Season
Two) are firmly planted. There's such a delicate tonal balancing act to be accomplished
on Twin Peaks, and Frost/Lynch are sometimes too coarse for the task.
Many scenes are overlong, given enough time to cross over from the unsettling
to the tiresome to the inane, and inspired bits of comedy often yield to weirdness
for its own sake. Still, when Lynch is hot, the screen all but simmers: he's the
only "mainstream" filmmaker who can turn ostensibly cheesy superimpositions
into haunting bouts of anxiety and "Episode Eight"'s final few minutes
must be among the most terrifying in scripted television's history.]
224. (29 May) Gilmore girls,
2.20: Help Wanted (2002, Allan Heinberg) ****1/2
[A carefully understated episode from a new writer,
painting Rory's budding anger and increasing need for rebellion in small strokes,
while Lorelai's relationship with her father (see also: "Forgiveness and
Stuff", "Christopher Returns", "Richard in Stars Hollow")
gradually becomes even more battered and complexly ambivalent than her relationship
with mom. The closing scene blends quiet understanding and unspoken commitment
-- Gilmore girls at its best.]
225. (29 May) Gilmore girls,
2.21: Lorelai's Graduation Day (2002, Daniel Palladino) ***
226. (29 May) Gilmore girls,
2.22: I Can't Get Started (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino, John Stephens) ***1/2
227. (30 May) Gilmore girls,
3.1: Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
228. (30 May) Gilmore girls,
3.2: Haunted Leg (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
229. (30 May) Gilmore girls,
3.3: Application Anxiety (2002, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
230. (30 May) Gilmore girls,
3.4: One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes (2002, Daniel Palladino) ***
231. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.5: Eight O'Clock at the Oasis (2002, Justin Tanner) ***1/2
232. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.6: Take the Deviled Eggs... (2002, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
233. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.7: They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They? (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) **1/2
[This pivotal, oh-so-long-in-the-coming episode
has its problems, but the final shot's awesomely tainted euphoria, and Alexis
Bledel's bruised work -- retro hair and thick make-up hiding her wounded, china
doll face -- make me wanna forgive its shortcomings.]
234. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.8: Let the Games Begin (2002, s: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Sheila R. Lawrence,
t: A. Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
[A strong recovery effort (ASP seems to be recognizing
that Jess has gotta start being written as far, far, far less of an unconscionable
asshole if there's any hope of buying his ungainly romance with Rory), especially
in its return to tense, obstinate, cross-generational discord (noticeably scant
during Season Three's first third). Unfortunately, this tension is rooted in a
vague, nonsensical imagining of the college application process. I know some of
these college issues have been semi-addressed on the show (e.g. it doesn't actually
matter how much you "want" to go to Harvard), but they're always soon
brushed aside and now it's really just getting, well... preposterous
in how the specifics are being handled (e.g. apparently Rory applied early to
Harvard, but she'd still obviously be thinking about back-up scenarios in case
she's rejected).]
235. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.9: A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (2002, Daniel Palladino) **1/2
[...in which we learn Rory finally understands
what I just wrote re: college admissions (i.e. you can't only apply to Harvard
if you're not applying early, which apparently Rory was not), but absurdly (and
very uncharacteristically) clueless Lorelai still remains unable to grasp the
simple concept of necessary back-ups and hence starts another pointless fight
with her parents. Luckily I think DP is pretty aware of how dumb that argument
is, so Lorelai's stepping down as of a few hours later.]
236. (31 May) Gilmore girls,
3.10: That'll Do, Pig (2003, Sheila R. Lawrence) ***
237. (01 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.11: I Solemnly Swear (2003, John Stephens) **
238. (01 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.12: Lorelai Out of Water (2003, Janet Leahy) ***
239. (01 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.13: Dear Emily and Richard (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) no
stars
[This dire flashback episode is a rare ASP misstep.
Many of Gilmore girls' best episodes -- and really the whole series --
are about characters locked in the past, futilely struggling to find keys, and
derive much of their mournful sting from the power of suggestion. But "Dear
Emily and Richard" actually shows all the critical scenes viewers have been
intimating, and turns them into corny, horribly acted and directed mush. I never
realized just how brittle television is and I would literally advocate this episode
go forever unwatched by future fans.]
240. (02 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.14: Swan Song (2003, Daniel Palladino) *
241. (02 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.1/6.2: Bargaining (2001, Marti Noxon/David Fury) *1/2
242. (02 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.15: Face-Off (2003, John Stephens) ***1/2
243. (03 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.16: The Big One (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
244. (03 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.17: A Tale of Poes and Fire (2003, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
245. (03 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.18: Happy Birthday, Baby (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
246. (03 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.3: After Life (2001, Jane Espenson) ****
247. (06 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.4: Flooded (2001, Jane Espenson, Douglas Petrie) ****
248. (07 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.5: Life Serial (2001, David Fury, Jane Espenson) **1/2
249. (07 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.6: All The Way (2001, Steven S. DeKnight) **
250. (07 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.7: Once More, With Feeling (2001, Joss Whedon) **
[Despite some transcendent moments this acclaimed
landmark is often a redundant mess, especially considering it trashes all the
exquisitely careful build-up and dreamy dread of 6.3 and 6.4 by hitting every
seasonal arc square in the face. The weak songs play like frank Writers' Room
conversations, spelling out in hyperbolic detail where exactly every
character is, what exactly is wrong with their lives and where exactly
they're going in future episodes, while simultaneously cheapening (by all but
dismissing) their should-be-wrenching moments of catharsis (e.g. Buffy admitting
she was in heaven and the final shot). I realize balls out musicals are rarely
known for their subtlety, but holding the viewer's hands, loudly repeating information
and revealing all, is completely antithetical to the show's needs. Not to mention
Whedon's no musician (neither am I, but at least I know every word in a song shouldn't
rhyme; he's also turning into an annoyingly cutesy dialogue writer, churning out
ridiculous phrases like "belly rumblings") and few cast members can
sing well. I'd love to just applaud Joss' experimental audacity and leave it at
that, but I can't shake the feeling he's a man who largely lost interest in his
own show awhile ago (6.7 is his lone Season Six episode), increasingly concerned
with gimmicks and standalonesque Big Events ("Hush", "Restless",
"The Body") rather than sitting around and doing the daily grit work
that allows for continually great television. In fact, the primary reason my rating
isn't even lower is Adam Shankman's luxuriant choreography. PS: Has anyone else
noticed Buffy's alarming Season Six trend whereby characters keep self-reflexively
reminding us how silly the show can (has?) become (e.g. quotes about how the show's
already had two impending apocalypses, Buffy's already died twice and an inexplicable
villain wondering aloud why he'd wanna kill Buffy if she saved his life a bunch
of times)?]
251. (08 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.8: Tabula Rasa (2001, Rebecca Rand Kirshner) 1/2
[Three crucial storylines (allegedly) pulsing through
here: Tara's mounting animosity towards Willow, Spike and Buffy's courtship dance
and Giles' impending departure. Instead of developing any of these, we're merely
treated to half an hour of boring, pseudo-funny magic filler crap. This is not
the Rebecca Rand Kirshner who wrote Freaks and Geeks' remarkable "The
Diary." (It is, however, the abysmal director David Grossman who is also
responsible for 6.1/6.2, as well as most of the worst episodes from the past three
seasons. Get the fuck rid of that guy already.)]
252. (08 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.9: Smashed (2001, Drew Z. Greenberg) **1/2
253. (10 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.10: Wrecked (2001, Marti Noxon) ***1/2
254. (11 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.11: Gone (2002, David Fury) ***1/2
255. (12 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.12: Doublemeat Palace (2002, Jane Espenson) ***1/2
256. (13 Jun) Karen Sisco, 1.1:
Blown Away (2003, s: Elmore Leonard, t: Bob Brush) **
257. (13 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.13: Dead Things (2002, Steven S. DeKnight) **1/2
258. (14 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.14: Older and Far Away (2002, Drew Z. Greenberg) **1/2
259. (15 Jun) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.15: As You Were (2002, Douglas Petrie) **1/2
260. (16 Jun) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.1: The Car Salesman (2001, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****1/2
261. (16 Jun) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.2: Thor (2001, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
262. (18 Jun) /Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.3: Trick or Treat/ (2001, dir. Larry Charles) ****
[first viewing: ***1/2]
263. (19 Jun) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.4: The Shrimp Incident (2001, dir. David Steinberg) ****
264. (20 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.19: Keg! Max! (2003, Daniel Palladino) ****
265. (20 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.20: Say Goodnight, Gracie (2003, s: Amy Sherman-Palladino, t: A. Sherman-Palladino,
Janet Leahy) ****
266. (21 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.21: Here Comes the Son (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
267. (22 Jun) Gilmore girls,
3.22: Those Are Strings, Pinocchio (2003, Daniel Palladino) *****
268. (22 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.1: Ballrooms and Biscotti (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
269. (23 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.2: The Lorelais' First Day at Yale (2003, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
270. (23 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.3: The Hobbit, the Sofa, and Digger Stiles (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
271. (23 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.4: Chicken or Beef? (2003, Jane Espenson) ****
272. (23 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.5: The Fundamental Things Apply (2003, John Stephens) ****
273. (24 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.6: An Affair to Remember (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
274. (24 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.7: The Festival of Living Art (2003, Daniel Palladino) ***
275. (24 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.8: Die, Jerk (2003, Daniel Palladino) ****
276. (25 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.9: Ted Koppel's Big Night Out (2003, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
277. (25 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.10: The Nanny and the Professor (2004, Scott Kaufer) ***1/2
278. (26 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.11: In the Clamor and the Clangor (2004, Sheila R. Lawrence, Janet Leahy) ****1/2
[Just the ethereal shadings in Graham's face while
Scott Patterson is pressing her on Luke's potential move is enough to take my
breath away; extra wonderful to see Lane's life treated with the patience, dignity
and lucid insight it's long deserved (I've often found the full extent of Mrs.
Kim's tyranny a touch hyperbolic, even though that's the point). And all that
delicious backlot snow!]
279. (26 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.12: A Family Matter (2004, Daniel Palladino) ****
280. (26 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.13: Nag Hammadi Is Where They Found the Gnostic Gospels (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino)
****
281. (26 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.14: The Incredible Shrinking Lorelais (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino)
****1/2
282. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.15: Scene in a Mall (2004, Daniel Palladino) ****
283. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.16: The Reigning Lorelai (2004, Jane Espenson) ***1/2
284. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.17: Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin' the Twist (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
[Can none of the cretins who inexplicably
beat up on Gilmore girls' marvelous fourth season appreciate that it's
-- at the very least -- the funniest season yet? This deliriously pleasurable
lark -- with Lorelai taking a step back so the spotlight can be firmly positioned
on Rory and Paris -- confirms Bledel and Liza Weil as the most laugh-out-loud
amusing 20something actresses alive. Plus: The Shins, The New Pornographers and
Camera Obscura. What more can you want?]
285. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.18: Tick, Tick, Tick, Boom! (2004, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
286. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.19: Afterboom (2004, Sheila R. Lawrence) ***1/2
287. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.20: Luke Can See Her Face (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino) ****
288. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.21: Last Week Fights, This Week Tights (2004, Daniel Palladino) ****
289. (27 Jun) Gilmore girls,
4.22: Raincoats and Recipes (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
[As I've written before, it's all about juxtaposition
and uncanny gear-shifting: Hilarious pratfalls (and I never laugh at
pratfalls; leave it to Graham and ASP to garner laughs from such a lowbrow MO)
rubbing shoulders with devastating confrontations is exactly why Gilmore girls
is the Best. Show. Ever. ASP is nothing short of a visionary, and
she's getting to be a hell of a director to boot, mixing up the standard TV rhythms
while she confidently holds master shots to striking effect. Blake Edwards is
name-checked here, and 4.22's achingly romantic and tentative kisses are as brilliantly
choreographed as anything in his oeuvre. It's gonna be a long, long summer.]
290. (28 Jun) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.5: The Thong (2001, dir. Jeff Garlin) ***1/2
291. (28 Jun) /Gilmore girls,
1.6: Rory's Birthday Parties/ (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) *****
[Second viewing, moved
to tears both times. Heartbreakingly tender exchanges -- such as Lorelai and Rory's
birthday wake-up chat -- manage to capture the ineffable sadness that lurks beneath
parents' joy in watching their children mature. That ASP couches this disconnect
in celebration somehow makes it all the sadder.]
292. (01 Jul) /Gilmore girls,
1.7: Kiss and Tell/ (2000, Jenji Kohan) ****
293. (04 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.16: Hell's Bells (2002, Rebecca Rand Kirshner) **1/2
294. (05 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.17: Normal Again (2002, Diego Gutierrez) **
295. (05 Jul) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.6: The Acupuncturist (2001, dir. Bryan Gordon) ***1/2
296. (05 Jul) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.7: The Doll (2001, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****1/2
297. (05 Jul) /Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.8: Shaq/ (2001, dir. Dean Parisot) **** [first
viewing: ***1/2]
298. (07 Jul) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.9: The Baptism (2001, dir. Keith Truesdell) ***1/2
299. (08 Jul) Curb Your Enthusiasm,
2.10: The Massage (2001, dir. Robert B. Weide) ****
300. (13 Jul) /Gilmore girls,
1.8: Love & War & Snow/ (2000, Joan Binder Weiss) ****
301. (13 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.18: Entropy (2002, Drew Z. Greenberg) **
302. (14 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.19: Seeing Red (2002, Steven S. DeKnight) *1/2
303. (14 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.20: Villains (2002, Marti Noxon) *1/2
304. (16 Jul) ER, 1.3: Day One
(1994, John Wells) ***1/2
305. (19 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.21: Two to Go (2002, Douglas Petrie) no stars
306. (19 Jul) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 6.22: Grave (2002, David Fury) *
307. (21 Jul) Once and Again,
2.1: Wake Up, Little Susie (2000, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) ***1/2
308. (21 Jul) Once and Again,
2.2: BookLovers (2000, Winnie Holzman) **
309. (21 Jul) Once and Again,
2.3: I Can't Stand Up (For Falling Down) (2000, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ***1/2
310. (22 Jul) Once and Again,
2.4: Feast or Famine (2000, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) ****1/2
311. (22 Jul) Once and Again,
2.5: Ozymandias 2.0 (2000, Joseph Dougherty) ***
312. (23 Jul) Once and Again,
2.6: Food for Thought (2000, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) ****1/2
313. (24 Jul) Once and Again,
2.9: Scribbling Rivalry (2001, Jan Oxenberg) ***
314. (26 Jul) Once and Again,
2.7: Learner's Permit (2000, Liberty Godshall) ***1/2
315. (26 Jul) Once and Again,
2.8: Life Out of Balance (2001, Lynn Siefert) ****1/2
316. (05 Aug) Once and Again,
2.10: Love's Laborers' Lost (2001, Emily Whitesell) ****
317. (08 Aug) Cracker, 1.1 [UK]:
The Mad Woman in the Attic, Episode 1 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) ***
318. (08 Aug) Cracker, 1.2 [UK]:
The Mad Woman in the Attic, Episode 2 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) **1/2
319. (09 Aug) The Twilight Zone,
5.21: Spur of the Moment (1964, Richard Matheson) **1/2
320. (09 Aug) Once and Again,
2.11: Thieves Like Us (2001, Winnie Holzman) ***
[Holzman has now written Season Two's most contrived
-- and some might say weakest -- episodes, except 2.11 is so blatantly odd it's
almost superb. "Thieves Like Us" is also among the funniest Once
and Again episodes I've ever seen, often playing like a twisted farce (with
patently forced and borderline absurd round robins of illicit activity) despite
its ostensibly serious moral questioning. Luckily Holzman seems aware of this
absurdity (she has characters self-referentially comment on how little sense their
actions are making), and in all fairness, the intricate feat of writing a O&A
episode that utilizes almost every major character is extraordinarily difficult,
yet Holzman seems determined to accomplish just that (see also: "Booklovers",
which totally fails in its attempts to create a believable hotbed of O&A
cast activity). Because 2.11 is so inclusive, we get a ton of typically fantastic
acting -- Audrey Marie Anderson, in particular, continues to amaze.]
321. (16 Aug) The Twilight Zone,
5.20: From Agnes - With Love (1964, Bernard C. Schoenfeld) *
322. (16 Aug) Prime Suspect,
1.1: Episode 1 (1991, Lynda La Plante) *1/2
323. (17 Aug) The Twilight Zone,
4.4: He's Alive (1963, Rod Serling) *
324. (18 Aug) Cracker, 1.3 [UK]:
To Say I Love You, Episode 1 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) **1/2
325. (19 Aug) Tales from the
Crypt, 1.2: And All Through The House (1989, Fred Dekker) *
326. (19 Aug) Tales from the
Crypt, 3.14: Yellow (1991, Jim Thomas, John Thomas, A.L. Katz, Gilbert Adler)
*
327. (19 Aug) Tales from the
Crypt, 6.15: You, Murderer (1995, A.L. Katz, Gilbert Adler) *
328. (19 Aug) Cracker, 1.4 [UK]:
To Say I Love You, Episode 2 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) ***1/2
329. (20 Aug) Cracker, 1.5 [UK]:
To Say I Love You, Episode 3 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) ***1/2
330. (22 Aug) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.1: Man From the South (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Kevin Goldstein-Jackson) 1/2
[Amateurishly remaking Alfred Hitchcock Presents'
deathless version -- complete with a godawful Michael Ontkean and an even worse
José Ferrer subbing in for McQueen and Lorre -- is surely among the Worst
Television Ideas in the history of the medium. At least Dahl's story beats inevitably
still crackle.]
331.
(23 Aug) /Gilmore girls, 1.9: Rory's Dance/ (2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino) *****
[first viewing:
****1/2]
332. (23 Aug) /Gilmore girls,
1.10: Forgiveness and Stuff/ (2000, John Stephens) ****1/2
[first viewing:
****]
333. (24 Aug) Cracker, 1.6 [UK]:
One Day a Lemming Will Fly, Episode 1 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) ****
334. (25 Aug) Cracker, 1.7 [UK]:
One Day a Lemming Will Fly, Episode 2 (1993, Jimmy McGovern) ****1/2
335. (25 Aug) /Gilmore girls,
1.11: Paris is Burning/ (2001, Joan Binder Weiss) **** [first
viewing: ***1/2]
336. (26 Aug) Once and Again,
2.12: Suspicion (2001, Liberty Godshall) ****
337. (26 Aug) Once and Again,
2.13: Edifice Wrecked (2001, Winnie Holzman) ****
338. (26 Aug) Once and Again,
2.14: The Other End of the Telescope (2001, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****
339. (26 Aug) Once and Again,
2.15: Standing Room Only (2001, Jan Oxenberg) ****
340. (28 Aug) Once and Again,
2.16: Aaron's Getting Better (2001, Richard Kramer) ****
341. (28 Aug) Once and Again,
2.17: Forgive Us Our Trespasses (2001, s: Lynn Siefert, t: L. Siefert, Winnie
Holzman) ****1/2
[Ever Carradine is
officially a national treasure, besting even her uncle David in unfuckingbelievable
awesomeness.]
342. (28 Aug) Once and Again,
2.18: Best of Enemies (2001, Emily Whitesell) ****1/2
343. (29 Aug) Once and Again,
2.19: Armageddon (2001, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) **
344. (30 Aug) Once and Again,
2.20: Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight (2001, Liberty Godshall,
Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) **1/2
345. (30 Aug) Once and Again,
2.21: Moving On (2001, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****
346. (30 Aug) Once and Again,
2.22: The Second Time Around (2001, Winnie Holzman) *1/2
347. (30 Aug) Once and Again,
3.1: Busted (2001, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick) ****
348. (31 Aug) Jack & Bobby,
1.1: Pilot (2004, s: Greg Berlanti, Vanessa Taylor, Steven A. Cohen, Brad Meltzer,
t: G. Berlanti, V. Taylor) *
349. (31 Aug) Once and Again,
3.2: The Awful Truth (2001, Winnie Holzman) ***
350. (31 Aug) Once and Again,
3.3: Kind of Blue (2001, Richard Kramer) ***
351. (01 Sep) Once and Again,
3.4: Acting Out (2001, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) **1/2
352. (01 Sep) Once and Again,
3.5: Destiny Turns On The Radio (2001, Winnie Holzman) *1/2
[Holzman, aka the worst
writer on O&A, continues her tireless quest to enter The Guinness
Book of World Records for Most Horridly Contrived Hour-Long Script. Next up: Lily
travels through time, Karen is revealed a superhero and Jake turns out to be Rick's
long lost alcoholic brother.]
353. (01 Sep) Once and Again,
3.6: Jake and the Women (2001, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****
354. (02 Sep) Once and Again,
3.7: Chaos Theory (2001, Liberty Godshall) ****1/2
355. (02 Sep) Once and Again,
3.8: The Sex Show (2001, Emily Whitesell) **1/2
356. (02 Sep) Once and Again,
3.9: Tough Love (2001, Maggie Friedman) **1/2
357. (03 Sep) Once and Again,
3.10: Pictures (2001, Alexa Junge) **
358. (03 Sep) Once and Again,
3.11: Taking Sides (2002, David Schulner) *1/2
359. (04 Sep) Once and Again,
3.12: Gardenia (2002, Richard Kramer) *****
[If there's anything
more transcendent than Evan Rachel Wood singing along to Billie Holiday please
let me know.]
360. (04 Sep) Once and Again,
3.13: Falling in Place (2002, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige) ****1/2
361. (04 Sep) Once and Again,
3.14: The Gay-Straight Alliance (2002, Winnie Holzman, Maggie Friedman) **1/2
362. (05 Sep) Once and Again,
3.15: One Step (Parent) Backward (2002, David Schulner) ***
363. (05 Sep) Once and Again,
3.16: Aaron's List of Dreams (2002, Richard Kramer) ***1/2
364. (06 Sep) Once and Again,
3.17: Experience Is the Teacher (2002, Winnie Holzman, Maggie Friedman) *1/2
365. (07 Sep) Once and Again,
3.18: Losing You (2002, Liberty Godshall) **1/2
366. (07 Sep) Once and Again,
3.19: Chance of a Lifetime (2002, Sue Paige, Daniel Paige, Marshall Herskovitz,
Edward Zwick) **1/2
367. (08 Sep) Sports Night, 1.1:
Pilot (1998, Aaron Sorkin) **
368. (08 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.2: Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Ronald Harwood)
1/2
369. (08 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.3: William and Mary (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Ronald Harwood) 1/2
370. (08 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.4: Lamb to the Slaughter (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Robin Chapman) *
371. (10 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.12: Double Date/ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
[first viewing: ***]
372. (10 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.5: The Landlady (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Robin Chapman) *1/2
373. (10 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.6: Neck (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Robin Chapman) **
374. (11 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.13: Concert Interruptus/ (2001, Elaine Arata) ***1/2
[first viewing: ***]
375. (11 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.14: That Damn Donna Reed/ (2001, Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
376. (12 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.7: Edward the Conqueror (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Ronald Harwood) **
377. (12 Sep) Tales of the Unexpected,
1.8: A Dip in the Pool (1979, s: Roald Dahl, t: Ronald Harwood) *
378. (14 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.15: Christopher Returns/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ***1/2
[first viewing: ****1/2;
nothing pains me more than having to downgrade a Gilmore girls episode,
but all the clunky, expository writing and frankly -- I can't believe I'm writing
this -- lame jokes I was willing to overlook first time around now seem inescapable.
Plus: While Graham, Patterson and Herrmann's customarily superlative work keep
things afloat here, flavorless David Sutcliffe does nothing for me. Has a few
scorching scenes, but I'm not too sure why I was ever so head over heels
for this episode since DP was clearly still finding his footing.]
379. (14 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.16: Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers/ (2001, s: Joan Binder Weiss, t:
John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ****
380. (14 Sep) /Gilmore girls,
1.17: The Breakup, Part II/ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
381. (15 Sep) Alias, 3.1: The
Two (2003, J.J. Abrams) ****
[Haven't actually seen
her competition's work, but those inane Academy fuckwits better hand Jennifer
Garner the Emmy on Sunday. Garner's shattering performance in "The Two"'s
final Vaughn/Sydney scene could give even Graham a run for her money, not to mention
that she also gracefully beats the crap outta people and blows up cars with missile-launchers.]
382. (16 Sep) Alias, 3.2: Succession
(2003, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman) ***1/2
383. (17 Sep) Alias, 3.3: Reunion
(2003, Jeff Pinkner) ****
384. (18 Sep) Alias, 3.4: A Missing
Link (2003, Monica Breen, Alison Schapker) ****
385. (18 Sep) Alias, 3.5: Repercussions
(2003, Jesse Alexander) ***1/2
386. (19 Sep) Alias, 3.6: The
Nemesis (2003, Crystal Nix Hines) ***1/2
387. (20 Sep) Alias, 3.7: Prelude
(2003, J.R. Orci) ****1/2
388. (20 Sep) Alias, 3.8: Breaking
Point (2003, Breen Frazier) ****
389. (20 Sep) Alias, 3.9: Conscious
(2003, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec) ***1/2
390. (20 Sep) Alias, 3.10: Remnants
(2003, Jeff Pinkner) ****
391. (21 Sep) Gilmore girls,
5.1: Say Goodbye to Daisy Miller (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
392. (21 Sep) Alias, 3.11: Full
Disclosure (2004, Jesse Alexander) **
393. (22 Sep) Lost, 1.1: Pilot,
Part I (2004, s: Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, t: J.J. Abrams,
D. Lindelof) ***1/2
394. (22 Sep) Veronica Mars,
1.1: Pilot (2004, Rob Thomas) **1/2
395. (22 Sep) Alias, 3.12: Crossings
(2004, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec) ***1/2
396. (25 Sep) Alias, 3.13: After
Six (2004, Monica Breen, Alison Schapker) ***
397. (25 Sep) Alias, 3.14: Blowback
(2004, Laurence Andries) ***
398. (25 Sep) Alias, 3.15: Façade
(2004, R.P. Gaborno, Christopher Hollier) ***1/2
399. (26 Sep) Alias, 3.16: Taken
(2004, J.R. Orci) **1/2
[The assertion of this
episode -- i.e. a single child's life is more valuable than putting the entire
world at immense risk -- is so ludicrous and offensive that I'm very tempted to
go zero stars. On the other hand, if I were feeling generous I could chalk "Taken"'s
repugnant ideological subtext up to the hugely flawed thinking of a few suddenly-fucked-up
characters (rather than the show as a whole), pray that Alias recognizes
and then calls said suddenly-fucked-up characters on their hugely flawed thinking
in a future episode and just focus on the ample 3.5star-level awesomeness here
(including a final corker that all but leaps off the screen). I guess I'll consider
myself firmly mixed.]
400. (28 Sep) Gilmore girls,
5.2: A Messenger, Nothing More (2004, Daniel Palladino) ****
401. (28 Sep) Veronica Mars,
1.2: Credit Where Credit is Due (2004, Rob Thomas) *1/2
402. (28 Sep) Alias, 3.17: The
Frame (2004, Crystal Nix Hines) ***1/2
403. (28 Sep) Alias, 3.18: Unveiled
(2004, Monica Breen, Alison Schapker) ***1/2
404. (29 Sep) Lost, 1.2: Pilot,
Part II (2004, s: Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, t: J.J. Abrams,
D. Lindelof) ****1/2
[Rating for entire
hour and a half pilot which was screened by critics intact and obviously should
not have been split apart by ABC: ****1/2.]
405. (29 Sep) Alias, 3.19: Hourglass
(2004, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec) ****
406. (15 Oct) /Gilmore girls,
1.18: The Third Lorelai/ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
407. (17 Oct) Gilmore girls,
5.3: Written in the Stars (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
408. (17 Oct) Gilmore girls,
5.4: Tippecanoe and Taylor, Too (2004, Bill Prady) ****
409. (17 Oct) Alias, 3.20: Blood
Ties (2004, s: Alison Schapker, Monica Breen, t: J.R. Orci) **
410. (20 Oct) Gilmore girls,
5.5: We Got Us a Pippi Virgin! (2004, Daniel Palladino) ****
411. (21 Oct) Desperate Housewives,
1.1: Pilot (2004, Marc Cherry) **
[The storybook visuals and tonal balancing act
intrigue me (especially since I was expecting this pilot to be more campy -- so
far there's enough odd sincerity to balance out the inflated melodrama). Obviously
a hidden-horrors-of-suburbia routine is passe by this point, but if Cherry lowers
Desperate Housewives' glibness factor (e.g. that cruel husband character
is particularly rote and watching sexually deprived Teri Hatcher / her bad actress
daughter is like being stuck in a bizarro universe where Gilmore girls
sucks rocks), tries to fuse its plasticity with a more nuanced portrait of domesticity
and edges towards its darker recesses, the show could become something special.
Note I'm giving a pass, for the time being, on whether Desperate Housewives
is offensive (depicts motherhood as a "worthless chore" reads the latest
conservative group backlash!) since these housewives know their lives are shitty
rather than just accept their lot. At its best, the show could be some sort of
Burton-fairytale-meets-Lynchian-nightmare and it's encouraging that America is
ferociously embracing something so whacked out.]
412. (21 Oct) Alias, 3.21: Legacy
(2004, Jesse Alexander) ***
413. (25 Oct) /Seinfeld, 6.7:
The Soup/ (1994, Fred Stoller) ***1/2
414. (27 Oct) The O.C., 1.1:
Pilot (2003, Josh Schwartz) **
415. (27 Oct) The O.C., 1.2:
The Model Home (2003, s: Allan Heinberg, Josh Schwartz, t: J. Schwartz) **1/2
416. (27 Oct) The O.C., 1.3:
The Gamble (2003, Jane Espenson) **
417. (27 Oct) Gilmore girls,
5.6: Norman Mailer, I'm Pregnant! (2004, James Berg, Stan Zimmerman) ****
418. (28 Oct) /Gilmore girls,
1.19: Emily in Wonderland/ (2001, John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ****
[first viewing: ***1/2]
419. (28 Oct) Arrested Development,
1.1: Pilot [extended cut] (2003, Mitchell Hurwitz) ***
420. (29 Oct) /Gilmore girls,
1.20: P.S. I Lo.../ (2001, Elaine Arata, Joan Binder Weiss) ****
421. (30 Oct) Arrested Development,
1.2: Top Banana (2003, Mitchell Hurwitz, John Levenstein) ****
422. (30 Oct) Arrested Development,
1.3: Bringing Up Buster (2003, Mitchell Hurwitz, Richard Rosenstock) ***1/2
423. (30 Oct) The O.C., 1.4:
The Debut (2003, Allan Heinberg, Josh Schwartz) *
424. (30 Oct) The O.C., 1.5:
The Outsider (2003, Melissa Rosenberg) *
425. (30 Oct) Arrested Development,
1.4: Key Decisions (2003, Brad Copeland) ***1/2
426. (30 Oct) Veronica Mars,
1.3: Meet John Smith (2004, Jed Seidel) *1/2
427. (30 Oct) The O.C., 1.6:
The Girlfriend (2003, s: Debra J. Fisher, Erica Messer, t: Josh Schwartz) *
428. (30 Oct) Alias, 3.22: Resurrection
(2004, Jeff Pinker) ***
429. (30 Oct) /Gilmore girls,
1.21: Love, Daisies and Troubadours/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****
[first
viewing: ***1/2]
430. (31 Oct) The O.C., 1.7:
The Escape (2003, Josh Schwartz) 1/2
431. (02 Nov) Gilmore girls,
5.7: You Jump, I Jump, Jack (2004, Daniel Palladino) **
[...through many absurd
hoops in order for Rory to begin pairing off with the pompous Logan. DP seems
to have forgotten that Stars Hollow's bizarro alternative universe cannot extend
to Yale and beyond; all the regal, secret club nonsense which comprises the lion's
share of this episode is neither funny nor dramatically rife (though a wavy-haired,
gown-clad Bledel does melt the screen). It's a shame DP et al. feels that Lane
must always be relegated to B or C storyline status, especially when
her blossoming Zach-romance sparkles with tender awkwardness in all the ways Rory/Logan's
DOA courtship should. Meanwhile: Emily and Richard's full frontal Luke assault
allows them to venture into oblivious-and-uncaring-caricature territory as
DP chucks subtlety out the window (e.g. what
will begin as a highly amusing gag, Richard's casual suggestion that Luke should
consider franchising, is soon implausibly beaten into the ground when we're asked
to stomach Richard as dead, gung-ho serious about assisting in such a pursuit).
<Wait! AN
OPPOSING VIEWPOINT.>]
432. (04 Nov) The Wire, 1.1:
The Target (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ***1/2
433. (06 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
4.14: The Incredible Shrinking Lorelais/ (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel
Palladino) ***** [first
viewing: ****1/2]
434. (06 Nov) The Wire, 1.2:
The Detail (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ****
435. (06 Nov) Lost, 1.3: Tabula
Rasa (2004, Damon Lindelof) **1/2
436. (06 Nov) Lost, 1.4: Walkabout
(2004, David Fury) **
437. (07 Nov) The Wire, 1.3:
The Buys (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ****
438. (07 Nov) The Simpsons, 16.1
[!]: Treehouse of Horror XV (2004, Bill Odenkirk) ***1/2
439. (07 Nov) Lost, 1.5: White
Rabbit (2004, Christian Taylor) **1/2
[Death
to all the fucking flashbacks. They're poorly written, ultra manipulative (1.3:
let's play How Long Can You Dance Around Kate's Crime?), idiotic (1.4: tah-dah!
he's a crazy paraplegic who can... walk again!), glaringly expository and rote
(1.5: Jack's Dad to Jack, twenty-five years previous: "You don't have what
it takes, son!" Cut to Jack on the island: "No, I don't have what it
takes!"). They're also killing this (otherwise mostly strong) show.]
440. (09 Nov) Gilmore girls,
5.8: The Party's Over (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
[Flaws
abound in the supporting gallery (Mrs. Kim is scaling new heights on Mt. Hyperbole,
a feat I never thought possible; the Fake Lane stuff is dumb and badly acted;
like Mrs. Kim, TJ's over the top even by Gg's stylization standards), but the
last shot is so haunt-me-forever, overwhelmingly devastating (and the underrated
Jared Padalecki is so affecting in his crucial scene) that any complaints are
rendered moot.]
441. (10 Nov) The Wire, 1.4:
Old Cases (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ***1/2
442. (10 Nov) Arrested Development,
1.5: Visiting Ours (2003, Richard Rosenstock, John Levenstein) ***1/2
443. (11 Nov) Arrested Development,
1.6: Charity Drive (2003, Barbie Feldman Adler) ***
444. (11 Nov) The Wire, 1.5:
The Pager (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: E. Burns) ***1/2
445. (12 Nov) The Wire, 1.6:
The Wire (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ****
446. (13 Nov) The Wire, 1.7:
One Arrest (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: Rafael Alvarez) ****
447. (13 Nov) Lost, 1.6: House
of the Rising Sun (2004, Javier Grillo-Marxuach) **1/2
448. (13 Nov) The Wire, 1.8:
Lessons (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) ****1/2
449. (13 Nov) The Wire, 1.9:
Game Day (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey)
****1/2
450. (14 Nov) The Wire, 1.10:
The Cost (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: D. Simon) *****
451. (14 Nov) The Wire, 1.11:
The Hunt (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: Joy Lusco) *****
452. (14 Nov) The Wire, 1.12:
Cleaning Up (2002, s: David Simon, Ed Burns, t: George P. Pelecanos) ****
453. (15 Nov) The Wire, 1.13:
Sentencing (2002, David Simon, Ed Burns) *****
454. (15 Nov) Felicity, 1.13:
Todd Mulcahy, Part 1 (1999, J.J. Abrams) *1/2
455. (16 Nov) Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, 7.1: Lessons (2002, Joss Whedon) *
456. (17 Nov) Lost, 1.7: The
Moth (2004, Jennifer Johnson, Paul Dini) *
457. (17 Nov) Gilmore girls,
5.9: Emily Says Hello (2004, Rebecca Rand Kirshner) ****
[Now this, on the other hand, most definitely
is the Rebecca Rand
Kirshner who wrote Freaks and Geeks' remarkable "The Diary."
Alexis Bledel (aka the future of American screen acting) continues to break my
heart.]
458. (18 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.1: Sadie, Sadie.../ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
459. (20 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.2: Hammers and Veils/ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) *****
[first
viewing: ****1/2]
[Anyone wondering why Lauren Graham is my favorite
actress needn't look any further than this.]
460. (20 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.3: Red Light on the Wedding Night/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
[first
viewing: ****]
461. (22 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.4: The Road Trip to Harvard/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
[first
viewing: ****]
462. (24 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.5: Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy/ (2001, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***
[first
viewing: ***1/2]
[Because: One word, and it begins with a fucking
J.]
463. (25 Nov) Felicity, 1.14:
Todd Mulcahy, Part 2 (1999, J.J. Abrams) *
464. (25 Nov) Felicity, 1.15:
Love and Marriage (1999, Jennifer Levin, Andrea Newman) *1/2
465.
(25 Nov) /Gilmore girls, 2.6: Presenting Lorelai Gilmore/ (2001, Sheila R. Lawrence)
****1/2 [first
viewing: ****]
[Trivia note: This episode contains the funniest,
most worthwhile Jess scene in Gilmore girls' history.]
466. (27 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.7: Like Mother, Like Daughter/ (2001, Joan Binder Weiss) ****
[first
viewing: ***1/2]
467. (29 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.8: The Ins & Outs of Inns/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
468. (30 Nov) Gilmore girls,
5.10: But Not as Cute as Pushkin (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ***1/2
469. (30 Nov) /Gilmore girls,
2.9: Run Away, Little Boy/ (2001, John Stephens) ****
470. (03 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.10: The Bracebridge Dinner/ (2001, Daniel Palladino) ****
471. (07 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
5.1: Say Goodbye to Daisy Miller/ (2004, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
[The brief, flat-footed Lindsay scenes still suck
(that actress belongs in a fucking fragrance commercial), but everything else
-- from the buckling hilarity of Rory getting her groove on in bed to the lunchtime
quarreling saturated in mockingly sumptuous colors -- is outstanding enough that
I don't much care.]
472. (08 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.11: Secrets and Loans/ (2002, Linda Loiselle Guzik) ****1/2
473. (09 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.12: Richard in Stars Hollow/ (2002, Frank Lombardi) ****1/2
474. (09 Dec) Columbo, S.1: Prescription:
Murder (1968, Richard Levinson, William Link) ***
475. (11 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.13: A-Tisket, A-Tasket/ (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****1/2
[first
viewing: ****]
476. (12 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.14: It Should've Been Lorelai/ (2002, Daniel Palladino) ****1/2
[first
viewing: ****]
477. (17 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.15: Lost and Found/ (2002, Amy Sherman-Palladino) ****
478. (18 Dec) The Shield, 1.1:
Pilot (2002, Shawn Ryan) **
479. (21 Dec) /Gilmore girls,
2.16: There's the Rub/ (2002, Sheila R. Lawrence) ***1/2
480. (23 Dec) /The Sopranos,
3.2: Proshai, Livushka/ (2001, David Chase) ***
481. (23 Dec) /The Sopranos,
3.3: Fortunate Son/ (2001, Todd A. Kessler) **1/2
482. (24 Dec) /The Sopranos,
3.4: Employee of the Month/ (2001, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess) **
483. (25 Dec) /The Sopranos,
3.5: Another Toothpick/ (2001, Terence Winter) ***1/2
484. (26 Dec) /The Sopranos,
3.6: University/ (2001, s: Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Terence
Winter, Todd A. Kessler, t: T. Winter, Salvatore J. Stabile) **1/2
[It took no less than five staff writers to come
up with this episode's A and B stories? Uh... why?]
485. (26 Dec) The Sopranos, 3.7:
Second Opinion (2001, Lawrence Konner) ****
486. (27 Dec) The Sopranos, 3.8:
He Is Risen (2001, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Todd A. Kessler) ***1/2
[I was torn re: whether to go 2.5 (mixed) or 3
(pro) on "University", but this episode makes me retroactively certain
I should have chosen the latter.]
487. (28 Dec) The Sopranos, 3.9:
The Telltale Moozadell (2001, Michael Imperioli) ***
488. (31 Dec) The Sopranos, 3.10:
To Save Us All From Satan's Power (2001, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess) ***1/2