Tag Archives: Showtime

Sunday What you Should Watch

20 Nov

Sunday, Once Upon A Time is not on because the American Music Awards are on, BOOOOO!!! 

Good News, there is plenty of other really good stuff on tonight. Homeland, The Good Wife, Dexter and Boardwalk Empire.

Thanks to Zap2It for the listings.

Top Spot

Homeland – This show absolutely kicks ass. If I didn’t already have Showtime I would subscribe just to see this show.

Here are a couple clips to get you warmed up

Homeland

Episode: Achilles Heel
Carrie and Saul get surprising news; Brody and Jessica learn they are guests of honor at a party.
 

The Good Wife

Tensions run high at the firm when Will and Alicia argue in front of a mercurial military judge and Diane issues an ultimatum.
 

Boardwalk Empire

Nucky barters in Ireland; Jimmy brokers a deal with George Remus; Emily’s illness takes a turn for the worse; Halloran is questioned about Nucky’s past.
 

Dexter

Dexter uses lessons from Brother Sam to follow up on leads; Deb and LaGuerta butt heads.

Homeland The Weekend (spoilers)

14 Nov

Don’t read this if you haven’t seen the episode.

Last night’s episode of  Homeland,” The Weekend”, launched the show in a whole new direction, guaranteed to keep the action going for this season into next. This was only episode 7 of 12, we still have five more this season. Plenty of time to twist and turn into a whole new show.

Carrie and Brody hit the road, spending the weekend at her family cabin. Every time I think she is spiraling out of control, and the lack of meds plus alcohol is getting the best of her we see she is just playing with Brody. Bravo Danes.

Saul (Mandy Patinkin) tracks down Aileen, who has seen the turned soldier. Quick question, why didn’t Saul ask her to briefly describe the man she saw, as soon as she said a black man, Saul wouldn’t need Brody’s picture. Seems like a dumb move for such a smart show. Their road trip together and the discussions Saul and Aileen had about conformity and her background were riveting. 

I know Saul asked to be transferred to the field, but I think Estes will be revealed as the mole and Saul will get his job. He will be able to bring Carrie back, saving her job.

Jess and Mike discuss their past, while Dana spirals out of control.  I don’t think it would be a great loss to this show if they wrote Brody’s family out of the series.  It works better if he is single.

I called it last week, Tom Walker would turn up alive and be the turned solider.  Now of course, just because this episode and the previews lead us to believe he is turned doesn’t mean he is, there could be another twist. Shows like this rarely show their cards without holding more than a few back.

Are you buying it, or, are you like me, do you need more proof.

The scene on the porch between Brody (Damian Lewis) and Carrie was (Claire Danes) was riveting, his answers were so believable, if he is still laying a trap he is very convincing. His rationalization for why he became a muslim was so truthful. How many prisoners turn to religion after they are locked up out of despair, and he was right the King James Bible wasn’t available. 

I really want Brody and Carrie to stay together, I like them, I think they will make fantastic partners at the CIA.  I think that is the next logical move for Brody, when they confirm he is definitely not a threat they will offer him a job. It will take a while, lots of akward moments between him and Carrie but they will get together.

Carrie on the other hand has some serious issues to deal with, first she was so convinced it was Brody, will she lose her job. She has her mental state and medication issues to resolve.

Does Brody end up in and her out. I am in for the rest of this season and next. 

Preview for next week’s episode, “Achilles Heel”.

Homeland on Showtime

30 Oct

Homeland on Showtime, is based on an Israeli series called Hatufim (Prisoners of War). The show stars Claire Danes as CIA officer Carrie Mathison, who is convinced a recently returned Iraq POW Nicholas Brody, played by Damian Lewis was turned, and is a threat to national security.

Homeland’s creators and executive producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, who brought us “24”, have gone in completely different direction with the tone of this show. Homeland delivers its protect national security message more quietly then “24”.  Homeland reflects the growth of the country and how we manage our fear and anxiety about terrorism.  Where “24”, was all hysteria the threat is everywhere, Homeland is a character study on the effects of that hysteria.

Both Carrie and Brody are dealing with their psychological demons brought on by their experiences in Iraq, as the viewer we get to see the parallel that is drawn between the 2, it is a nice piece of story telling.

The main action of the show surrounds the, “is he or isn’t he” question, so far the show has done an excellent job of keeping this unanswered. There are moments when you think you have a scene that shows he is turned, but then is zigs instead of zags.  For example, he is shown praying as a muslim, carpet and all, you could argue he is definitely turned, he has been brain washed or he assimilated to survive and hasn’t let go of that assimilation.

Rounding out the cast; the always superb Mandy Patinkin, who plays Carrie’s mentor Saul, and Morena Baccarin who plays Brody’s wife Jessica.

Bottom line, the show is worth checking out, the performances by Lewis and Danes are strong, and the story is compelling. 

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Sunday What to Watch

30 Oct

Listings courtesy of Zap2it

New episodes of The Good Wife, and Once Upon A Time tie for the top spot.

Showtime has Dexter, and an excellent new show called Homeland.  Boardwalk Empire continues to improve on its impressive first season.

What Halloween would be complete with The Simpsons’ annual treehouse of horror special, this year is # 22.

And as always I want to hear from you. What are you watching?

Once Upon a Time

Regina tries to push Emma out of Storybrooke and Henry’s life; information about the Evil Queen’s curse comes out.
 
 
 

The Good Wife

Alicia defends a Taiwanese national; Eli’s ex-wife approaches him about a potential political campaign
 
 
Honorable mention:
 

Allen Gregory

Episode: Pilot
When pretentious 7-year-old Allen Gregory begins the first grade in a public school, he struggles to fit in with his peers; Allen has in interesting first meeting with his principal.
 

The Simpsons

A boulder traps Homer’s arm when he takes a drive through a canyon; a spider bite paralyzes Homer; Flanders becomes a vigilante by night; Bart and Milhouse travel to a distant planet to obtain an extract.
 

Pan Am

Despite being close to losing her job, Maggie manages to make it onto a flight to Rio de Janeiro; Kate is unsure of herself after getting a difficult mission involving a Yugoslav diplomat; Ginny’s games don’t sit well with Dean.
 

The Amazing Race

After falling behind, a dismayed contestant is encouraged by spirited locals; contestants participate in an intense foot race.
 

Boardwalk Empire

Nucky arranges a risky liquor delivery; complications arise in Nucky’s federal case; Jimmy finds a new mentor; Margaret makes a confession; Lucy struggles in solitude; Van Alden wrestles with his conscience.
 

Homeland

Episode: Blind Spot
Brody confronts his surviving jailor; the agency is on the trail of Aileen and Faisel.
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday – What to Watch

16 Oct

This is what I am watching tonight, how about you? Episode descriptions complements of www.zap2it.com

The Good Wife – CBS – 9pm EST (could be delayed because of football)

Alicia takes on a pro bono case where a witness becomes the prime
suspect; Diane and Will ponder the future of the firm.

Boardwalk EmpireHBO 9pm EST –

Nucky considers a risky legal maneuver; Jimmy and Mickey head to
Philadelphia; Eli worries about the Commodore’s ability to lead; Chalky is
cornered at work and at home; Van Alden’s agents target Mickey’s warehouse;
Richard lets down his guard.

Dexter – Showtime – 9pm EST –

A serial killer from Dexter’s past returns and Debra is
uncomfortable in her new job.

Homeland – Showtime – 10pm EST –

The Brody family prepares for a television interview; Carrie’s
team closes in on an Al Qaeda plot.

Honorable Mention

The Amazing Race, Pan Am and The Walking Dead

What are you watching and why, if you make a strong case for your show perhaps I will make room on the DVR.