The title to this post has bigger implications and was a theme throughout this week's episode. It saw Derek and Sloan get in a fist-fight, Cristina get kicked out of an OR, Bailey with a new hair style and more Addison. Here is a rundown of some of the highlights from the episode.
- I usually do not like the voiceovers at the beginning and end of episodes and thus usually tune them out. But this week, when Meredith talked about how people see doctors as Gods because they have to or else they will see the doctors' flaws, I liked the message that opened the show.
- The pregnant wife was still on the episode this week and was the reason for Addison's stay on Grey's. Derek is still trying to make up for the mistake he made during her first surgery, which leads to multiple other surgeries. The baby is in distress and Addison has to take the baby out. But not before Derek takes out parts of the mom's brain and eventually the mom dies. Derek got too close to the case, which becomes all the more evident when the chief has to come to the OR to tell Derek to stop the surgery and to also pry Derek from the room. I think the stand off between Addison and Derek was supposed to be emotional, but at that point I felt no sympathy for Derek.
- In my post a few days ago about ER I mentioned how I like when storylines carry over from week to week. I should clarify by saying that when we meet memorable characters who have interesting storylines, then seeing them in future episodes is interesting. With this recurring storyline, the one with the husband and wife, I don't like their characters or their storyline so I did not like that they were at the center of three episodes in a row. I am glad to see them go.
- The first ever female surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Campbell, makes an appearance on the show (not like she had ever before been mentioned). She is old fashioned and Cristina realizes she botched a previous surgery, therefore needing to redo it. At the end of the episode she says she knows she has to retire and tells Cristina to be careful because at some point Cristina will be in the same place Campbell is.
- Bailey is trying for a new position in pediatrics surgery and therefore a new hair style is in order. She is also attempting to get letters of recommendation from anyone willing to write one. Her face-off with the chief at the end of the episode, when she confronts him about using a form letter and he yells at her for looking into another position when she was supposed to replace him, was well written. I liked when she threw in his face that she is not his son and therefore does not have to follow in his footsteps.
- As I was watching the Derek/Sloan fight I could not help but think that they are way too old to get in such a fight. Not that it was not entertaining, but they are adults so they should act like adults. On a similar note, I loved Lexi's line at the beginning of the show when she called Sloan her Anne Frank boyfriend because she has to hide him in the attic. It was a humorous exchange.
- At this point, does anyone doubt that Izzy is dying? Why are the writers stringing us along? She needs to just figure it out so that the rest of the cast can be let in on the secret.
Though ABC called this week the third and final in the crossover with Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy, the only thing crossing over was Addison. Addison's presence on Grey's linked the two shows, but as I have said in previous posts, I am happy that the combination is done. I like these shows when they stand alone, so here's to a return to that formula.
So what did you think of the episode? Anything stand out that I missed?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Spoiler: Dollhouse needs to find its footing
I truly think the idea for this show has so much potential, but who, other than me who is home sick, is going to stay home on a Friday night to watch a television show? Shows get moved to Friday nights to die. They shouldn't start there if the network has any hope of them gaining an audience following, even in the age of DVR and TiVo.
That said, I do not think it is too late for the show. But I think there would need to be substantial changes in how the show is formatted for it to succeed. Here is a list of what I do and do not like about the show.
- As I said in my previous post about the show, I like the premise. The idea that a person could have their memories and thoughts wiped clean so that they can be programed with different personalities and abilities is very interesting and I'm sure the science advancements necessary for such a thing to be really possible is not too far off. I just wish the show would focus on this and not the rest. This idea alone could hold the show with each week Echo being programmed as something new. There is no need for the other stuff, which I will go into detail about in a minutes.
- That said, I did enjoy seeing the relationship between Echo and her handler explored this week. Their trust needs to be real and it would not have been something the viewers believed until they saw it in action, which we did see in this episode.
- As for the things I could do without, there are two main things. First, I do not think that in the show's second episode we should already be seeing the flaws with this scientific process and how the science can go wrong. Through both the Alpha storyline and Echo's visions/memories we see that there are problems with the programming process, but for this to be part of the story so early into the series seems weird. How can I be expected to believe that these actives have their memories wiped clean if I have already been shown that things can go wrong? On a similar note, starting with the first episode last week the audience gets a glimpse into the fact that there is a police officer who suspects the dollhouse exists. If there are people on the outside trying to discover the dollhouse, I think it could have been used to stir up trouble later in the series, but not from the start.
I feel like the show's flaws are caught in the fact that they are trying to thrown in too many wrenches too early in the series. The show should focus on Echo and her missions, forgetting about all of the outside forces for a while. Maybe down the line the show will need some spicing up, but until then I think these side storylines are only distracting from the possibilities that are available in the ability to change people using science, plain and simple.
What do you think? Are you watching? Am I totally off base with this?
That said, I do not think it is too late for the show. But I think there would need to be substantial changes in how the show is formatted for it to succeed. Here is a list of what I do and do not like about the show.
- As I said in my previous post about the show, I like the premise. The idea that a person could have their memories and thoughts wiped clean so that they can be programed with different personalities and abilities is very interesting and I'm sure the science advancements necessary for such a thing to be really possible is not too far off. I just wish the show would focus on this and not the rest. This idea alone could hold the show with each week Echo being programmed as something new. There is no need for the other stuff, which I will go into detail about in a minutes.
- That said, I did enjoy seeing the relationship between Echo and her handler explored this week. Their trust needs to be real and it would not have been something the viewers believed until they saw it in action, which we did see in this episode.
- As for the things I could do without, there are two main things. First, I do not think that in the show's second episode we should already be seeing the flaws with this scientific process and how the science can go wrong. Through both the Alpha storyline and Echo's visions/memories we see that there are problems with the programming process, but for this to be part of the story so early into the series seems weird. How can I be expected to believe that these actives have their memories wiped clean if I have already been shown that things can go wrong? On a similar note, starting with the first episode last week the audience gets a glimpse into the fact that there is a police officer who suspects the dollhouse exists. If there are people on the outside trying to discover the dollhouse, I think it could have been used to stir up trouble later in the series, but not from the start.
I feel like the show's flaws are caught in the fact that they are trying to thrown in too many wrenches too early in the series. The show should focus on Echo and her missions, forgetting about all of the outside forces for a while. Maybe down the line the show will need some spicing up, but until then I think these side storylines are only distracting from the possibilities that are available in the ability to change people using science, plain and simple.
What do you think? Are you watching? Am I totally off base with this?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice posts to come
I had to work until 9 p.m. today so by the time I got home Grey's was already half done. I decided to watch ER tonight and put off the duo until tomorrow. I will watch both shows tomorrow after my three classes and if I don't post tomorrow, then I promise to post sometime Saturday.
I hope those who watched enjoyed the last part of the crossover. If you have things you want to say, then feel free to post ahead of me through the comment option. I already heard from a friend who said I have to make sure to mention Bailey's hair. I don't even yet know what she means, but it does make me want to watch the show sooner rather than later.
I hope those who watched enjoyed the last part of the crossover. If you have things you want to say, then feel free to post ahead of me through the comment option. I already heard from a friend who said I have to make sure to mention Bailey's hair. I don't even yet know what she means, but it does make me want to watch the show sooner rather than later.
Spoiler: ER - Welcome back, Carter
It is going to be great having Noah Wyle on ER for a few episodes. In a final season where old cast members returning is commonplace, I am glad Wyle joined in. How adorable was it when Carter walked in and no one knew who he was? That just proves how long it has been since he last graced the halls of County. I like how he described the ER as bizarro because it is both the same and completely different. But I must say, this entire episode Carter just kind of seemed to lurk around. He didn't have a real storyline and we don't know the real reason he is in Chicago, though we did get a glimpse at the end of the episode when they showed him hooked up to medical machines. I'm looking forward to next week if only for more details about his return.
As for other points of interest following tonight's episode:
- I know I say this every week, but how cute is Brenner? I want someone to make a romantic gesture like planning a trip to Venice for me. Neela is lucky.
- The stolen glances between Sam and Tony were pathetic. This is my opinion and it may be a bit harsh, but I didn't agree with her reasons for breaking up with Tony in the first place so if Sam still has feelings for him, then she needs to grow up and be with him.
- I don't know how to feel about the police brutality storyline. I know this is going to have a negative affect on Morris and Claudia right when they were starting to be happy, but other than that it was something the show could have done without.
- Same with the mushroom/Midsummer Night's Dream/love potion storyline. I was more confused than anything with that. Though Jerry hitting on Carter after drinking the potion was funny.
- Who else would be weirded out by using your neice's egg so that you could have a baby with genes similar to your own? Banfield is against adoption (or at least she is until she talks with the little girl from last week, Lucy) but using a family member's egg is a better idea? I don't get why adoption always seems to get such a bad rap on television shows.
- I like when the writers carry over interesting storylines from week to week. We once again saw the mom and daughter from last week, and things did not seem to be looking up. The doctors thought they had a new heart for the mom but mid-way through the transplant they get a call saying there had been a mistake. Apparently the donor had a different blood type and the heart could not be used. Worse was that they had already removed the mom's faulty heart so she is now living on machines, waiting for another donor. The daughter then made her mom a Valentine's Day heart. Though it won't work as well as a real one, it was heartwarming to watch.
Well here's to great episodes in the coming weeks as the show draws to an end. Did you like tonight's Valentine's Day episode five days late? Any memorable moments I missed?
As for other points of interest following tonight's episode:
- I know I say this every week, but how cute is Brenner? I want someone to make a romantic gesture like planning a trip to Venice for me. Neela is lucky.
- The stolen glances between Sam and Tony were pathetic. This is my opinion and it may be a bit harsh, but I didn't agree with her reasons for breaking up with Tony in the first place so if Sam still has feelings for him, then she needs to grow up and be with him.
- I don't know how to feel about the police brutality storyline. I know this is going to have a negative affect on Morris and Claudia right when they were starting to be happy, but other than that it was something the show could have done without.
- Same with the mushroom/Midsummer Night's Dream/love potion storyline. I was more confused than anything with that. Though Jerry hitting on Carter after drinking the potion was funny.
- Who else would be weirded out by using your neice's egg so that you could have a baby with genes similar to your own? Banfield is against adoption (or at least she is until she talks with the little girl from last week, Lucy) but using a family member's egg is a better idea? I don't get why adoption always seems to get such a bad rap on television shows.
- I like when the writers carry over interesting storylines from week to week. We once again saw the mom and daughter from last week, and things did not seem to be looking up. The doctors thought they had a new heart for the mom but mid-way through the transplant they get a call saying there had been a mistake. Apparently the donor had a different blood type and the heart could not be used. Worse was that they had already removed the mom's faulty heart so she is now living on machines, waiting for another donor. The daughter then made her mom a Valentine's Day heart. Though it won't work as well as a real one, it was heartwarming to watch.
Well here's to great episodes in the coming weeks as the show draws to an end. Did you like tonight's Valentine's Day episode five days late? Any memorable moments I missed?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Product Placement in television shows
There has been a bit of controversy recently surrounding blatant product placement, especially on NBC. Here is a boston.com blog post about it and below follows my thoughts on the topic.
At some point normal advertising techniques – like television commercials, print media ads, billboards, etcetera – aren’t enough to garner the attention of consumers, and advertising companies have to push the envelope further to sell their product. For the advertising process to work, members of the audience have to agree to be consumers. We have to see an advertisement and then buy the product. If the consumers ignore the ads being presented to them, then no one buys the product and the advertising process fails. Equally as important is that the assumption that ads will sell products has to follow through or else the ads are useless and no products are sold. This is why advertising is so important as a part of the mainstream media and an American consumer culture.
Product placement is a popular form of alternative advertising that garners attention from consumers. But one major problem with product placement is that it at times changes the storyline of shows and movies. There are two types of product placement: product placement that is subtle and product placement that is obvious and can even distract viewers. Some product placement is so understated within a plot – a box of cereal on a kitchen counter in the background of a scene or a character reading a magazine clearly showing the cover to the audience – that it does not interfere with what is happening on screen. But everything can be taken to extremes.
The real question is, should television shows and movies allow advertisers the opportunity to control the content of their media but paying for product placement? Does such product placement change the quality of the show? As consumers, there are most likely mixed opinions about this topic. It is probable that some consumers do not even notice such product placement, but there must also be consumers who are annoyed because they are being bashed over the head with the product while they are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying a television show.
How do you feel about product placement? Does it bother you or is it just another form of advertising?
At some point normal advertising techniques – like television commercials, print media ads, billboards, etcetera – aren’t enough to garner the attention of consumers, and advertising companies have to push the envelope further to sell their product. For the advertising process to work, members of the audience have to agree to be consumers. We have to see an advertisement and then buy the product. If the consumers ignore the ads being presented to them, then no one buys the product and the advertising process fails. Equally as important is that the assumption that ads will sell products has to follow through or else the ads are useless and no products are sold. This is why advertising is so important as a part of the mainstream media and an American consumer culture.
Product placement is a popular form of alternative advertising that garners attention from consumers. But one major problem with product placement is that it at times changes the storyline of shows and movies. There are two types of product placement: product placement that is subtle and product placement that is obvious and can even distract viewers. Some product placement is so understated within a plot – a box of cereal on a kitchen counter in the background of a scene or a character reading a magazine clearly showing the cover to the audience – that it does not interfere with what is happening on screen. But everything can be taken to extremes.
The real question is, should television shows and movies allow advertisers the opportunity to control the content of their media but paying for product placement? Does such product placement change the quality of the show? As consumers, there are most likely mixed opinions about this topic. It is probable that some consumers do not even notice such product placement, but there must also be consumers who are annoyed because they are being bashed over the head with the product while they are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying a television show.
How do you feel about product placement? Does it bother you or is it just another form of advertising?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Spoiler: Giving SVU its props
I am not going to go into a lot of detail, but I am going to salute Law & Order: SVU for once again touching upon the topics other television shows run from. Tonight's episode focused on a transgender child. The 13-year-old at the center of the episode goes by Hailey but was born Henry.
When I first heard that this was going to be the topic of this week's episode, I must say I was initially worried. I was afraid the show would go about discussing the subject in very stereotypical ways. But the show did many things correctly. They defined transgender in a way people could understand and, more importantly, they said all of the right things. The common phrases "body betray you," "feel trapped," "anatomy is irrelevant," etc. were all used.
In a class I am taking, Communication and Gender, we have spent the last week or two talking about transgender people and seeing the issue brought up in the mainstream media means a lot to me, especially since this is not a topic usually used for material.
When I first heard that this was going to be the topic of this week's episode, I must say I was initially worried. I was afraid the show would go about discussing the subject in very stereotypical ways. But the show did many things correctly. They defined transgender in a way people could understand and, more importantly, they said all of the right things. The common phrases "body betray you," "feel trapped," "anatomy is irrelevant," etc. were all used.
In a class I am taking, Communication and Gender, we have spent the last week or two talking about transgender people and seeing the issue brought up in the mainstream media means a lot to me, especially since this is not a topic usually used for material.
Monday, February 16, 2009
How to fix Gossip Girl
TvGuide.com has this humorous list of suggestions for ways to fix Gossip Girl. I agree that things during the last few weeks have been less than wonderful, but I am still addicted to the show and I really hope it does not get canceled. Read the list if you get a chance and let me know what you think. Is the show too far gone to be saved? What do you think can be done to rebuild viewership?
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