Sightings
First Aired: Thursday April 8, 1993
The Brock boys find a dead body near the trash outside their home. Carter's examination leads to finding out the man was at a supposed UFO crash. Afterwards, Carter rules that spaceship radiation may have caused the death .. and is fired for his beliefs.
This is an episode where the storyline encompasses both the silly and the thought provoking. After Matt and Zach find a dead body in their trash, Carter Pike first believes that something strange is going on with the body; weird tattoo, severe radiation, and that the man is of Jewish faith. When a traveling UFO troupe comes to town to claim the body, they find out that this Jewish man was at a supposed crash site several decades before. While Carter fights with his UFO urges, Wambaugh is questioning how his Jewish faith is being tested. A local rabbi confronts Wambaugh about making sure then body adheres to strict Orthodox Jewish laws when Carter can't release the body. He later confronts Miriam Wambaugh about how, when he was young, he claimed not to be Jewish so he wouldn't be beaten up. This emboldens him some, but he decides to take Carter Pikes case after Carter was fired for saying there was a possibility that the man died from radiation poisoning from a UFO. Having fallen for one of the ufologists, she pushes him to fight his wrongful termination. Jimmy had fired him because of his odd habits and his recent outbursts. Things change during the case, though, when it is found out that the woman had perpetrated all of the weird stuff, including the marks on the dead body and making Carter think he saw a UFO. Jimmy asks Carter to come back because he was duped into doing what he did. As the episode ends, Carter is confronted by the woman one last time and says that he doesn't know if he will ever be able to truly trust anyone again.
Like I said, this was a semi-serious/silly storyline about the possibility of UFOs with a very convincing case for pro-UFO existence. I enjoy Carter-centric episodes, but I really feel for the guy (which I am sure the writers want) and hope that things can possibly get better for him. Skeritt played a really good part in have to fire Carter and it was good to see his conflict of emotion, though you can tell that he always had questions about Carters methods. The other side of the story about respecting the Jewish faith was also very moving. It is easy to see why Wambaugh won so many Emmy's for his portrayal, since he goes from hilarity to stark seriousness the next moment. And he's a damn good lawyer, besides his wackiness. I like how it ended at a middle ground of emotion; Carter had his job back but he was crushed emotionally and romantically. I just hope things get better for him.
Score: 9.2 / 10
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Titus - S1E3
Dave Moves Out
First Aired: Monday April 3, 2000
Ken Titus had Dave arrested while Dave was trying to move out, saying the stuff he was taken was Ken's. Titus arrives at the jail to reason with his father ... only to end up arrest along with Dave.
Titus gave his brother Dave the idea that he should finally move out of the house their father owns. In the process, Ken has Dave arrested. At the station, Ken tells Titus this is because the VCR he was moving was Ken's and Dave was committing a crime. Tommy shows up to help, but only ends up angering Ken further and Titus ends up arrested as well after he comments he helped Dave with the moving. When Erin comes, she helps Ken talk with his boys so that he will drop the charges. Erin and Titus then realize that if Dave does move out, Ken would spend more time with the couple. They quickly come up with a plan to trick Ken and Dave into wanting Dave to stay in the house.
A very good episode like the last one, the one-liners and cut-aways are top notch. They made me choke-cough more than once while watching. Of particular note were the parts where Titus translated the conversations at the beginning and the end of the episode. The three Titus family members are perfectly cast, especially Keach as Ken, and make this a memorable episode.
Score: 8.7 / 10
First Aired: Monday April 3, 2000
Ken Titus had Dave arrested while Dave was trying to move out, saying the stuff he was taken was Ken's. Titus arrives at the jail to reason with his father ... only to end up arrest along with Dave.
Titus gave his brother Dave the idea that he should finally move out of the house their father owns. In the process, Ken has Dave arrested. At the station, Ken tells Titus this is because the VCR he was moving was Ken's and Dave was committing a crime. Tommy shows up to help, but only ends up angering Ken further and Titus ends up arrested as well after he comments he helped Dave with the moving. When Erin comes, she helps Ken talk with his boys so that he will drop the charges. Erin and Titus then realize that if Dave does move out, Ken would spend more time with the couple. They quickly come up with a plan to trick Ken and Dave into wanting Dave to stay in the house.
A very good episode like the last one, the one-liners and cut-aways are top notch. They made me choke-cough more than once while watching. Of particular note were the parts where Titus translated the conversations at the beginning and the end of the episode. The three Titus family members are perfectly cast, especially Keach as Ken, and make this a memorable episode.
Score: 8.7 / 10
Monday, July 23, 2007
Titus - S1E02
Dad's Dead
First Aired: Monday March 27, 2000
The true show grabber, this episode of Titus revolved around whether or not Ken, Titus and Dave's father, is dead. The group, hesitant to check, instead remembers the good and bad times ... mostly the bad.
The episode begins when Dave tries to explain to Titus that he thinks their dad is dead after not coming out of his room for four days. Titus brushes this aside until Dave tells him their father didn't even come out for a beer. As the two try to cope with the potential loss, Erin shows up in a huff. Apparently, her pager message reading "dads dead" didn't me her own father, which she realized after walking in on her parents during sex. She reveals that a few days prior, Ken had given her his will for safe keeping. While the three contemplate opening the will, Tommy shows up for more consoling. As the four eat cake and discuss Ken, he shows up, interrupting Titus berating him. He yells at them to keep quiet and that he is trying to sleep.
While the first episode aired was more of the sitcom feel then this subject matter deserved, this second episode, the true pilot, is where it really shines. The quick wit and one-liners are present, as well as the voice-overs by Titus that add more of the grim, dark humor that the show thrives on. It features many of the lines I told to people over the years about this great, under appreciated show and it is good to be watching this shows again.
Score: 9 / 10
First Aired: Monday March 27, 2000
The true show grabber, this episode of Titus revolved around whether or not Ken, Titus and Dave's father, is dead. The group, hesitant to check, instead remembers the good and bad times ... mostly the bad.
The episode begins when Dave tries to explain to Titus that he thinks their dad is dead after not coming out of his room for four days. Titus brushes this aside until Dave tells him their father didn't even come out for a beer. As the two try to cope with the potential loss, Erin shows up in a huff. Apparently, her pager message reading "dads dead" didn't me her own father, which she realized after walking in on her parents during sex. She reveals that a few days prior, Ken had given her his will for safe keeping. While the three contemplate opening the will, Tommy shows up for more consoling. As the four eat cake and discuss Ken, he shows up, interrupting Titus berating him. He yells at them to keep quiet and that he is trying to sleep.
While the first episode aired was more of the sitcom feel then this subject matter deserved, this second episode, the true pilot, is where it really shines. The quick wit and one-liners are present, as well as the voice-overs by Titus that add more of the grim, dark humor that the show thrives on. It features many of the lines I told to people over the years about this great, under appreciated show and it is good to be watching this shows again.
Score: 9 / 10
Picket Fences - S1E18
Fetal Attraction
First Aired: Thursday April 1, 1993
An patient of Jill's has advanced Parkinson's disease, leaving him unable to walk and now to speak. In frustration, she decides to contact the leading neurosurgeon in the country. He also turns out to be an ex-fiance.
Bill McGrath is now unable to speak after his Parkinson disease has taken a turn for the worse. Jill decides it is time to call her ex-fiance, Dr David Williams played by Jamey Sheridan, who happens to be a master on the subject. He has been called the "cowboy", since he has performed procedures in China that involve putting cells from aborted fetuses directly into the brain. When he informs Jill that this may be their only solution, she tries to get the local hospital to allow them the use of their operating room. When the head of the hospital declines, Bill and his wife take the case to court. During the trial, Jill kisses David after they had been out to dinner. Jimmy sees this and is taken aback. Jill tells him that the kiss happened because she wanted to "regret something I did, instead of regretting what I didn't". To this, Jimmy understands in a way and comments that "No matter how strong we get, we still stay so fragile." Judge Bone rules that there is no law that says a hospital must relent to such a procedure. In response, Jill's ex-fiance trumps up a fake aneurysm in Bill in order to get him to the OR where a fetus is waiting. He and Jill perform the procedure without any problems, but are held in contempt for a week.
After the previous episodes storyline of mystery/action, it was fun to go back to the courtroom. The superb acting of both Wambaugh and Bone make watching this so much fun. The writers are also good at evoking feels for both sides of the case. They eloquently make Bone's ruling sound, though it might not be what the audience truly wants. I also like how this episode shows that real-life relationships can become incredibly strained. Even though they make up, Jill and Jimmy have problems from this episode and previous episodes, and I believe this makes the show more believable. Again, the show does not shy away from the controversy, especially for its time. That's what makes this show a wonder to watch.
Score: 9.1 / 10
First Aired: Thursday April 1, 1993
An patient of Jill's has advanced Parkinson's disease, leaving him unable to walk and now to speak. In frustration, she decides to contact the leading neurosurgeon in the country. He also turns out to be an ex-fiance.
Bill McGrath is now unable to speak after his Parkinson disease has taken a turn for the worse. Jill decides it is time to call her ex-fiance, Dr David Williams played by Jamey Sheridan, who happens to be a master on the subject. He has been called the "cowboy", since he has performed procedures in China that involve putting cells from aborted fetuses directly into the brain. When he informs Jill that this may be their only solution, she tries to get the local hospital to allow them the use of their operating room. When the head of the hospital declines, Bill and his wife take the case to court. During the trial, Jill kisses David after they had been out to dinner. Jimmy sees this and is taken aback. Jill tells him that the kiss happened because she wanted to "regret something I did, instead of regretting what I didn't". To this, Jimmy understands in a way and comments that "No matter how strong we get, we still stay so fragile." Judge Bone rules that there is no law that says a hospital must relent to such a procedure. In response, Jill's ex-fiance trumps up a fake aneurysm in Bill in order to get him to the OR where a fetus is waiting. He and Jill perform the procedure without any problems, but are held in contempt for a week.
After the previous episodes storyline of mystery/action, it was fun to go back to the courtroom. The superb acting of both Wambaugh and Bone make watching this so much fun. The writers are also good at evoking feels for both sides of the case. They eloquently make Bone's ruling sound, though it might not be what the audience truly wants. I also like how this episode shows that real-life relationships can become incredibly strained. Even though they make up, Jill and Jimmy have problems from this episode and previous episodes, and I believe this makes the show more believable. Again, the show does not shy away from the controversy, especially for its time. That's what makes this show a wonder to watch.
Score: 9.1 / 10
Picket Fences - S1E17
Be My Valentine
First Aired: Friday February 12, 1993
It's near Valentine's day, it the episode starts with a twang as Jimmy is shot in the ass with an arrow. It turns out that the serial killer known as Cupid has apparently come to Rome.
After Jimmy is shot with a bow and arrow, Maxine realizes that it might be the serial killer known as Cupid. She worries that she may be a target due to her specific personal ad which mentions liking poetry. She and Kenny decide to stake out a date where they nope to lure out the killer, whom the FBI believes they already killed. In the process, they meet Barry Jennings, the man who lead the case for the FBI. Unfortunately, he went a bit crazy after the killer killed his wife and was fired from the FBI. The FBI and the Rome Sheriffs station believes that he is in fact the killer and set up a sting using Maxine. Playing on Jenkins' trust, Maxine agrees to go out with Ben, who Jenkins seems to be trying to use as a suspect for when he kills Maxine. Chaos ensues during the sting, with the police actually thinking the killer is Ben. It turns out that both Ben and Jennings are accomplices. Maxine barely survives with the help of her illegal pen gun. The episode ends with the FBI capturing the men and Maxine being fine.
This was a very good whodunit and a mystery episode. There are multiple twists, with none of them being easy to figure out, IMO. I liked the fact that it was a Maxine centric episode and she really shined in this one more than the recent others. Also, Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show) as Special Agent Jennings played a good villain, as is typical for him to do. A very interesting and original Valentine's episode.
Score: 8.4 / 10
First Aired: Friday February 12, 1993
It's near Valentine's day, it the episode starts with a twang as Jimmy is shot in the ass with an arrow. It turns out that the serial killer known as Cupid has apparently come to Rome.
After Jimmy is shot with a bow and arrow, Maxine realizes that it might be the serial killer known as Cupid. She worries that she may be a target due to her specific personal ad which mentions liking poetry. She and Kenny decide to stake out a date where they nope to lure out the killer, whom the FBI believes they already killed. In the process, they meet Barry Jennings, the man who lead the case for the FBI. Unfortunately, he went a bit crazy after the killer killed his wife and was fired from the FBI. The FBI and the Rome Sheriffs station believes that he is in fact the killer and set up a sting using Maxine. Playing on Jenkins' trust, Maxine agrees to go out with Ben, who Jenkins seems to be trying to use as a suspect for when he kills Maxine. Chaos ensues during the sting, with the police actually thinking the killer is Ben. It turns out that both Ben and Jennings are accomplices. Maxine barely survives with the help of her illegal pen gun. The episode ends with the FBI capturing the men and Maxine being fine.
This was a very good whodunit and a mystery episode. There are multiple twists, with none of them being easy to figure out, IMO. I liked the fact that it was a Maxine centric episode and she really shined in this one more than the recent others. Also, Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show) as Special Agent Jennings played a good villain, as is typical for him to do. A very interesting and original Valentine's episode.
Score: 8.4 / 10
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Titus - S1E01
Sex with Pudding
First Aired: Monday March 20, 2000
In the very first episode of Titus, Christopher Titus believes that his long time girlfriend Erin is cheating on him. After finding revealing clues, he decides to confront her co-workers.
The first episode of Titus showed up on the Fox network in early 2000 and, strangely enough, it felt like a real life version of the Family Guy. Only better.
Titus has taken his brother Dave and friend Tommy to his girlfriend Erin's workplace. He has a sneaking suspicion that he is having an affair with someone. The plan immediately back fires when Erin sees them get off the elevator. She sends them to her office to wait, but they can't help but sniff for clues. Finding emails and a pair of panties, Titus confronts Erin. She tells him that she is actually being sexually harassed and asks him not to get involved. As the three are leaving, Titus changes his mind and confronts Erin's whole floor. After a rousing speech, several guys come forward, but the real "pudding" is Erin's female boss, who had believed that Erin was gay. The entire problem is resolved at the end and everyone is happy ... except for Dave, because he started a fire.
I only remember a few passing episodes of the show since I was starting college at the time it premiered. I did, however, remember catching an episode or two and being amused. Like I said, it reminded me a of a live action Family Guy, with the numerous cuts to past events. This is a good thing, since these weren't terrible (like some of the FG flashbacks have become lately). Like a typical sitcom, the characters and the audience are presented with the premise of the episode and it is usually resolved at the end. This episode follows that formula easily, but the little comments by Erin, Titus and Dave make it funny. From what I can remember, Dave gets funnier as time goes on, but this was a prime place to start. A decent show that I can see myself watching every now and then.
Score: 8.3 / 10
First Aired: Monday March 20, 2000
In the very first episode of Titus, Christopher Titus believes that his long time girlfriend Erin is cheating on him. After finding revealing clues, he decides to confront her co-workers.
The first episode of Titus showed up on the Fox network in early 2000 and, strangely enough, it felt like a real life version of the Family Guy. Only better.
Titus has taken his brother Dave and friend Tommy to his girlfriend Erin's workplace. He has a sneaking suspicion that he is having an affair with someone. The plan immediately back fires when Erin sees them get off the elevator. She sends them to her office to wait, but they can't help but sniff for clues. Finding emails and a pair of panties, Titus confronts Erin. She tells him that she is actually being sexually harassed and asks him not to get involved. As the three are leaving, Titus changes his mind and confronts Erin's whole floor. After a rousing speech, several guys come forward, but the real "pudding" is Erin's female boss, who had believed that Erin was gay. The entire problem is resolved at the end and everyone is happy ... except for Dave, because he started a fire.
I only remember a few passing episodes of the show since I was starting college at the time it premiered. I did, however, remember catching an episode or two and being amused. Like I said, it reminded me a of a live action Family Guy, with the numerous cuts to past events. This is a good thing, since these weren't terrible (like some of the FG flashbacks have become lately). Like a typical sitcom, the characters and the audience are presented with the premise of the episode and it is usually resolved at the end. This episode follows that formula easily, but the little comments by Erin, Titus and Dave make it funny. From what I can remember, Dave gets funnier as time goes on, but this was a prime place to start. A decent show that I can see myself watching every now and then.
Score: 8.3 / 10
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - S1E7
Charlie Got Molested
First Aired: Tuesday September 13, 2005
The gang finds out that a teacher at Mac and Charlie's old school is being brought up on molestation charges. Afterwards, Charlie's strange behavior tips the gang off that he may also have been molested.
Rude and crude: just like the Sunny crew, and the viewers like me, likes it. Nothing says hilarity like molestation, huh? While reading a paper, Mac sees that a former elementary school gym teacher from his and Charlie's school is being charged with molesting two brothers. However, it turns out that the brothers at the McPoley brothers, oddballs who came up with the plan after hearing Charlie mention it one night of drinking. Dennis, Dee and Mac suspect that perhaps Charlie was also molested, so they try to plan an intervention. Mac also tries to make a move on the teacher, played by Dennis Haskins (Saved by the Bell), but is shot down. Everything turns out okay in the end when Charlie finally gives in and rats out the brothers.
In one of the smartest episodes the show has seen, this season ender is just the tip of the iceberg that is Sunny. As always, Mac and Charlie's acting is top notch, and it is interesting to see Charlie appear to be taking the high road for once. Even the storyline involving Dee and Dennis trying to help him is great. Another prime example of the witty and crass writing this team can do.
Score: 9 / 10
First Aired: Tuesday September 13, 2005
The gang finds out that a teacher at Mac and Charlie's old school is being brought up on molestation charges. Afterwards, Charlie's strange behavior tips the gang off that he may also have been molested.
Rude and crude: just like the Sunny crew, and the viewers like me, likes it. Nothing says hilarity like molestation, huh? While reading a paper, Mac sees that a former elementary school gym teacher from his and Charlie's school is being charged with molesting two brothers. However, it turns out that the brothers at the McPoley brothers, oddballs who came up with the plan after hearing Charlie mention it one night of drinking. Dennis, Dee and Mac suspect that perhaps Charlie was also molested, so they try to plan an intervention. Mac also tries to make a move on the teacher, played by Dennis Haskins (Saved by the Bell), but is shot down. Everything turns out okay in the end when Charlie finally gives in and rats out the brothers.
In one of the smartest episodes the show has seen, this season ender is just the tip of the iceberg that is Sunny. As always, Mac and Charlie's acting is top notch, and it is interesting to see Charlie appear to be taking the high road for once. Even the storyline involving Dee and Dennis trying to help him is great. Another prime example of the witty and crass writing this team can do.
Score: 9 / 10
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