Stargate Atlantis - 5.9: "Tracker" Review

Rodney and Ronon bicker over accompanying Jennifer off world, which doesn't mean much seeing as she's abducted by a tracker and they're chased by Wraith.

Rodney (David Hewlett) watches himself in the mirror and repeats himself, practicing for Jennifer - he's going off world on his day off with Jennifer (Jewel Staite).   He's a "new kinder, gentler Rodney."  Does he get a day off then?   Ronon (Jason Momoa) goes too.   The people on the planet are all suffering from an influenza-type illness.   Rodney tries to impress Jennifer but he's not impressed with the food.   Jennifer is gone when they return.   Ronon suggests Rodney should get to the gate and radio for help whilst he checks the village.

Jennifer is taken by a man and Ronon finds her footprints and notices the other footprints come out of nowhere.   Rodney can't radio as Wraith arrive through the gate and begin to chase him.   Ronon got there in record time when he heard the commotion (I know he's a former runner and fast on his feet).   They're Wraith hunters and they chase runners.   The man leaves footprints and then back tracks.   A Wraith shoots at him but he disappears.   Rodney comments on the newcomer looking like Ronon.

Jennifer sees him disappear.  Did she think she'd get away by running from him?   Ronon and Rodney evacuate the village to the caverns.   The man is a runner and they don't just stop being runners.   Jennifer feels they don't have to be enemies.   Rodney works out how long it will be dark in and Ronon questions how long Rodney can make it out here without his gadgets.   Rodney was a Beaver when little and was asked to leave.   Wonder why?  Ronon finds a trap.   The gadget is technology from a planet and helps him move from to place to place and it recharges between jumps.   At last a show where recharging is mentioned, usually these devices last forever in other shows.

Rodney suggests they use the Wraith locator to track Jennifer.   Rodney believes Ronon will need his help at some point, they have the same goal.   Rodney can solve the technical problems but he can't rock climb.   One Wraith is dead and they remove his device.   Jennifer thinks she can  use her scanner and remove his tracker, but it's different as it's diffused to his brain stem.   IF she removes it it'll kill him.   He wants Jennifer to help the girl, Celise (Neela Todd) in the cave.   Her village was destroyed by the Wraith who culled it when they couldn't find Kiryk (Michael Dopud).   They find a Wraith in one of his traps.

Kiryk can't constantly be on the run from the Wraith.   Jennifer gets her first Wraith kill and she drags both Celise and Kiryk away from the cave.   She then thinks she can disable the tracker by using the defibrillator to overload the power source.   But it will stop his heart.   The tracker ceases to function and she takes it for Rodney.   See thinking about Rodney again.   Ronon finds Celise's doll and darts fly.   Ronon attacks Kiryk and Jennifer took lessons from Ronon in fighting as she joins in fighting the Wraith.  Rodney fixes the device so Kiryk can attack the Wraith which runs out of charge but he manages to lead the Wraith through the gate.

Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) threatens to have Rodney forcibly removed.   Ronon returns her doll and they're looking for Kiryk.  Rodney doesn't feel he has a chance with Jennifer and asks what Ronon's intentions are. He doesn't have any, he's interested in her romantically.   Rodney's interested , that's why he's asking.   Not want to fight or step aside so they let her decide and shake on it.  (Of course we know who'll she decide on.)

Not much of a continuing story arc in this episode, more of a stand alone with reminders of past stories, that the Wraith still use runners and reference to Ronon being one too and how he was able to escape this life with the help of the Atlantis team.   Also Ronon and Rodney competing for Jennifer without her really knowing about it but it seems she has already made up her mind.  From 5.6 The Shrine, we know where Jennifer's heart and affections lie and Rodney declared his love for the good doctor this episode too which she knows about from watching the video.   But does he remember making it?   Jennifer in another situation where she ends up needing rescuing, though she's not really in danger this time.   She will go through much the same thing in season 5 episode Identity.

Jewel at ComiCon 2008 called this her "most difficult episode...I don't know what Carl [Binder] has against me..."  For putting her in such scenarios.

Runners were introduced and explained in season 2's Runner with Ronon.    Michael Dopud was also in Stargate - SG1 season 8 episode Full Alert and season 10's Bounty.   I missed my Sheppard fix this episode!

Smallville - 10.07: "Ambush" Review

The General and Lucy Lane arrive for Thanksgiving, but more importantly to see if Clark is good enough for his daughter. Flagg targets the General for his support of the Anti-Vigilante Registration Act.

 Clark (Tom Welling) and Lois (Erica Durance) cavort around the farm and just as Lois manages to rip Clark's shirt off him, the General (Michael Ironside) arrives for Thanksgiving, accompanied by Lucy (Peyton List.)  What was Clark doing with his hands, attempting to cover his manhood!  Cue opening song, 'Somebody save me...' in the nick - that's what must have been running through Clark's mind.   The General hands Clark a list of jobs to do around the place, as Lois is accustomed to a certain standard.   Yeah it didn't hurt she was staying here all this time without anything being done for her.   Whilst putting Clark down in the process, questioning what he does around the farm.   Lois doesn't really stand up to him.   No, she gets all domesticated and begins cooking for Thanksgiving.

She provides Clark with a list of groceries so he can put out the oil refinery fire as the Blur.   His 'S' appears on the news and the General thinks the Blur loves to advertize his good deeds.    Well there wouldn't be so much publicity if Clarkie didn't feel the need to advertize himself, so why do it.   The General's in favour of the Anti-Vigilante Registration Act running through Congress, so they'll have to reveal themselves and be subjected to all sorts of bureaucracy.  The General suspects Clark of being a vigilante supporter.   Clark works at the paper and he lets Lois have the by-lines, cos he's so sweet, as Lois puts it.

Oliver (Justin Hartley) arrives at Watchtower wounded and Tess (Cassidy Freeman) hardly bats an eyelid, like she hasn't noticed - now Chloe (Allison Mack) wouldn't have done that; not until he asks for the first aid kit.  Tending to his wounds Tess notices his wound reacting like acid, she's seen Oliver sans clothes before and discovers a tattoo.   (The ones they were tagged with in 10.2 Shield.)  So is it just the three the Suicide Squad managed to tag.   She recognizes the symbol from working at Checkmate and that Flagg (Tim Whittall) used to work for them, but he's deceased.   Oliver recalls Flagg is the one who held him hostage and tried to recruit him.

Oliver warns Clark and finds he too has been tagged.  Clark wonders how many others have also been tagged.   He makes Oliver jump through the window so no one sees him when he hears Lucy, who gets a little too close to his Kryptonite diary.   Which he's left lying around carelessly, wait that was Lois' responsibility now.   She makes a play for Clark which was seen coming a mile off and yet he's taken by surprise when she plants a kiss on him.   Lois catches them and believes that was meant for her to go off at Clark.   Lois tells him he could put out a fire, but he couldn't stop Lucy from kissing him.   Liked Lois' line she said to Lucy about the "back-stabbing bitchberry lip gloss" when she kissed Clark.

Lois sends Lucy for crushed ice, why wasn't that on the list she gave Clark if that's what the General likes.   At the store she's intercepted by Flagg who in military uniform says he needs to protect the General and hands her a homing device for him and an envelope.   Of course she'd come on board when she hears him mention Clark.

Tess intercepts a transmission that Flagg intends on killing someone and Oliver comments Chloe would've found out ages ago.   Tess isn't their enemy and she's trying to help him.   He's still pining for Chloe and says, "it's hard me being here with someone else, okay."  Tess isn't trying to  replace her, but "at some point you need to start treating me like I'm on your side."  But she's still got her secrets and one big one, viz Alexander.  

The General wants to interrogate Clark as he's all prepared with chair and spotlight, when Clark hands him the completed list.  The General wonders what Lois sees in him as she likes to date 'men of action.'  Clark thinks he should ask Lois that.   He asked someone at the Pentagon to run a check on Clark and he came back clean.   The only way someone can be that clean is if they've gotten someone higher up, like a Senator (referring to Martha) to clean his record.   Clark gets angry and a little defensive: "What gives you the right to spy on us?"  He says 'us', when he should have said them, cos he's kind of given the game away, he either implies he's a vigilante too (hence explaining and answering Lois' man of action' penchant) or that he's a vigilante sympathizer.   Clark tells him he's looking for enemies where none exist just like the General's vigilante witchhunt.   See that's why the General asks why he's bringing up the vigilantes when he's talking about Clark.   Oh Clarkie you need to be more careful what you say, lest you get caught out.

Clark posits as soon as they're threatened then everyone's rights go out the window.   Which is true.  Yes Clark loves Lois and wants to be with her.   The General is adamant this is the last day he'll spend with her.   Prompting Clark and Lois to have their first "domestic."   She gave her all to make today work and all he has to do was to get along with her family.   Clark informs her of the surveillance photos of Kara in her costume.   Lucy planted them.   Lucy also puts the homing device in the General's pocket.   Lois refuses to defend Clark and stand by him to his face, but does so later when he's not around to see.   Clark can go down with his vigilante friends and she leaves for the Talon with the two.

Flagg overestimates Clark by thinking the Blur may be faster than a speeding bullet as was demonstrated in 10.2 again; but that he won't be able to outrun his missile, intended for the General.   Not all vigilantes are bad.

Lucy was trying to protect Lois who asks if she has any compromising photos of her, um, yes she could have got some of the two of them together, ha.   Lois is determined to stay with Clark and if he loves her then he should respect her decision.   They leave and the General leaves behind the homing device at the Talon, he took it out of his pocket but he didn't notice he never had it in there to begin with.  The missile explodes and Clark/the Blur arrives in the nick of time to save Lois from the impact of the explosion.

Clark tells Oliver and Tess that he was the intended target, but Tess is certain Flagg would have attempted to recruit Clark before he tried to kill him.   He would attack anyone before he allowed any of the vigilantes to be attacked.   Clark and Oliver attack Flagg's truck and he hides behind the "I did it for my country" excuse.   The Act is a weapon and if they reveal themselves they'll be killed so they need to fight back.   Clark: "violence isn't the answer." Flagg disagrees, "violence is the only answer."  He's gathering more superheroes on his side.   Why was Oliver talking with his distorted voice when everyone knows who he is.   Flagg escapes and vanishes from the truck with his new found sidekick, Emil La Salle, aka Warp.  (Elias Toufexis.)

Lois and Lucy make up and she can't believe she almost got Lois killed after she went behind their back.   Lois says , "Our larger-than-life hero" needed them to protect him; referring to the General.   Lucy believed if she helped then the General wouldn't see her as a troublemaker but Lois thought since Lucy was the troublemaker, she could be seen as the good one.   They forgot how to be sisters.

Oliver brings beer and take out to the Watchtower, it's not happy hour but he's still working.   Tess is having Emil researching how to remove the tags.  Oliver thinks he can do 'friendly'.  Tess was thinking she could do 'frenemy'.   He doesn't know what that means and he needs to leave this island so no one can find this place.   Others need the safety and secretiveness of it and they didn't reveal themselves like he chose to.   Tess realizes it's hard for him to say that  since this place means so much to him cos of Chloe.

The General tells Clark only his wife spoke to him like that (in preparation for next week's episode with Lois' mother, Teri Hatcher.)  Lois has a new hero.   The list wasn't a test for Clark, it was a test for Lois.   He used it on all her boyfriends and she never complained about it until now.   He's grateful to the Blur that they're still here to have a meal together and he's glad she has her own 'private guardian angel'.   When he said that it almost seemed like he knew Clark was the Blur, it's just the way he said it and looked at Clark at the same time.   Since Clark almost gave himself away as being a vigilante earlier.  Clark adds that not all politicians have the General's sense of honour.

Clark has a question for him and we know that'll be asking for his permission to marry Lois.  Flagg no longer wants to hide in the shadows and declares war blowing up an anti-Blur, anti-vigilante building.   This episode went back to the main arc, or at least one of them after the break in last week's episode.   With Flagg's intentions being revealed.   It's a little dangerous  Flagg knowing who Clark is since he's not really all together.   A bit silly and confusing having the sidekick being called Emil, cos that's Dr Emil's name.

Looks like Lois heeded Clark's rant about her not standing up for herself with her father as she finally puts her foot down about her continuing to be with Clark.   As did Clark throughout the episode.

CSI: NY - 8.03: "Cavallino Rampante" Review

The CSIs look into a car theft ring which runs in the family and stumble upon a dangerous criminal wanted the world over. Danny shows his rookie partner who is boss.

The scene opens with a woman who is dressing to impress and she meets up with another one.   They steal a Ferrari and drive away.   Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) briefs his rookie officers on the car theft ring.   Sixteen Ferraris have been stolen over the past four months.   The first time we get to see him doing a briefing as sergeant.   Danny rides with his rookie partner Lauren Cooper (Jeananne Goossen) and they drive to five parking garages.   At the fifth one they come across a parked Ferrari with the engine still on.   There's a dead woman in the boot/trunk.   One of the car thieves.

Mac (Gary Sinise) arrives and comments on the murder, "That photo puts her behind the wheel, now we got to figure out who put her in the trunk." Jo (Sela ward) analyzes the interior and finds traces of powder flecks, as well as a crushed electric device on the ground.   Jo's been in many Ferraris and Mac asks how.   Stock or race Ferraris.   Flack (Eddie Cahill) says boosting cars is dangerous and someone who was having a million dollar mid-life crisis must be really angry.   The killer had to have been inside the car at some point.   Flack thinks it would be nice if she could tell them what happened.   Mac: "Maybe her body can."

Sid (Robert Joy) is puzzled by the COD and enlists Hawkes' (Hill Harper) help.     Sid found superficial contusions on her body: the thigh and upper abdomen, but she was healthy otherwise.   Flack, Mac and Lindsay (Anna Belknap) question the owners of the stolen Ferraris.   Flack questions one man who may have done it for the insurance.   He left the car keys inside and wanted a smart car to impress the ladies.   Flack: "So how's that working out for you?"  Ha.   Mac questions Purdue (Tim Guinee) my suspect cos he was being evasive but not in a direct way.    Also Tim Guinee has been in each of the CSI shows once and this is his second time on CSI:NY.  

Jo analyzes the car.   The VIN doesn't match the registration so several different parts have been added to the car.   Adam (AJ Buckley) compliments Jo, "Not many people can pull off those coveralls." (Meaning  Stella and Lindsay of course!)  Adam shows Jo and Mac how the electric coding device works on the cars and throws Mac's keys away.   He then unlocks his car and starts the engine.   He'll have to fetch the keys later anyway but he didn't think of that, maybe cos Jo was around and so he felt safe doing that to Mac.   The cars have a coded entry system and the device goes through the codes in rapid succession  unlocking the door.   He found a latent print on one of the components and ran it; coming up with an Arthur Noonan.

Flack goes to his apartment alone cos there's no danger or chase scenes either.   Arthur (Jonathan Schmock) is in a wheelchair.  The two women were his daughters.   Michelle's (Elizabeth Lauren Hoffman) death was his worst nightmare come true.   It was his fault.   Audrey (Michelle Page) knew what Michelle and Nicole (Courtney Ford) did and he made the device for them.   Stealing cars is the family business.  Audrey had coffee with her sisters a few weeks ago but she doesn't know where Nicole is.

Danny goes off at Lauren for issuing a summons to a dope smoker, she should use her judgment and discretion.   So he doesn't have to be stuck behind a desk when they could be out finding criminals.   This means overtime and he won't get to see his family.   (That's not  bad thing, as far as Lindsay is concerned, ha.)  But he should know them's the breaks that come with the job, he can't go round blaming his job or others.   Mac believes he's doing a good job and he's come a long way from those first years in his lab.  

Hawkes determines Michelle died from Krav Maga and whoever killed her had knowledge of where to apply this to pressure points.   Hawkes and Adam demonstrate in Adam's second funny scene of the episode and Adam plays dead until Mac leaves.   Mac mentions this to Sid who then realizes COD was electrocution.   The charge went through her leather jacket from a modified stun gun.   Hence no burning.   In the flashback the killer wears a suit as the cuffs and white sleeves of a shirt are clearly visible, thus clearly reinforcing Purdue as the killer.   Hey CSI:Miami used to do that a lot in flashbacks, giving away the killer's identity and NY does that here too.   As I said he wasn't too difficult to determine.  

Mac knows their killer is Dominic Janos. He learned Krav Maga and his specialty was killing by electric shock.   Lindsay identifies the powder as containing collagen, regenerative powder.   He was regenerating his cells after being burnt in a yacht explosion.  He's out for revenge.   Flack returns to Arthur's apartment and finds him dead and Audrey vanished.   Flack has to switch on the light in the bedroom, which is a clue. (Well if you hadn't solved the killer's ID yet.)   Hey he brought help with him this time round.  Hawkes finds Audrey's phone under the bed and fingernail impressions on the carpet where he dragged her out.

Danny apologizes to Lauren for his earlier outburst.   He was impulsive and arrogant when he first started out.  She'll be a great officer.   She invites him for a drink but he wants to see his family.   Lindsay finds the side effects of the powder include infection, pain and light sensitivity.   Mac recalls when he questioned Purdue and he was irritable when the lamp was on.   Nicole steals two cars and breaks from her MO, from in front of cameras and by force.   Mac tells them they had him.  

Jo tells Mac the FBI were investigating Purdue for months but didn't make the connection he was Janos until they did it for him.   Mac believes Nicole stole the wrong car and there must be something hidden in the car.   Adam tells them about the vehicle recovery system in the car she stole which is abandoned in Brooklyn, where Audrey had coffee.   Jo thinks they must have a garage nearby.  

Mac finds a list of car parts at the garage needed to put back Purdue's car.   Flack says if they can find who bought the parts and where the car parts went they can find her, which is what they do and she's caught stealing her next car, also with the keys being left inside for her.   Nicole explains how Michelle took the car to Purdue but it wasn't his car and so he killed her.   She wanted to help but hid.   Jo drives the car to Purdue and locks him in.   She looked god in her long wig.   Flack locates an SUV with Audrey inside.   Flack walks past Nicole at the station and says nowt to her as she looks at him.   Mac brings in Audrey.   He also sits in the car with Jo and mentions the three dials Purdue touched, the radio, thermostat and hazard lights, revealing a hidden compartment where he hid his fake passports, credit cards etc.   Everything he needed to leave the country.   Jo recalls what she tells her children, "The only reason evil exists in the world is that good can triumph over it."  Danny joins his rookies for a beer and Lauren gets the wrong idea about him no doubt.   Clearly she has a crush on him,  He's only there cos of the next episode so this will lead nicely onto it.

The title is the symbol of the Ferrari racing team and Jo mentions racing in passing when she explains she's been inside Ferraris.   Ferrari has used this symbol on stationary since 1929.   Cavallino is the horse and rampante signifies "prancing" as in the logo.   Danny's referring to himself as impulsive and arrogant and making mistakes was a hark back to season 1.   We know the trouble his "arrogance" got him into with Mac, but wanting to do the job, helping Vics of crime and putting criminals behind bars, can't be termed as arrogance.   Though he did on some occasions feel he was better than others in doing this job and challenged Mac's orders, as well as disobeying.   Conflicting with Mac when he was trying to 'teach' him.   That was a learning curve for him.   Ahh those were the good ol' days of CSI:NY.

Anyway those scenes with Danny and his rookies couldn't have continued all season; so it was inevitable he'd make it back to the lab eventually; as did Mac.   Lauren kind of views him as idealistic, but her boss and there appears to be a misapprehension on her part when he apologizes to her at the end, that it's akin to more than just being her boss.   Even if he's twice stressed he's got to go home to be under Lindsay's thumb (sorry).   As for having Lindsay in the scene where Nicole is caught was entirely unnecessary, and could that gun of hers be any bigger, what's she compensating for, don't answer that.   Particularly since Nicole wasn't exactly a killer or armed, she just stole cars.

Adam's remarks to Jo were fun, now that he's really comfortable speaking to her like that especially since he was in fear or awe of her when she arrived last season.   Another side of the multifaceted Jo is revealed re her experience with Ferraris and it's good to see her hands down under a car and getting dirty in her efforts for the job.   The FBI must have regretted losing her, right?  Since they couldn't make the connection between Purdue and Janos.   Also the line she tells her children has been said before, to which Mac replies they'd be out of work.   Jo's evil and good line is kind of a paraphrase of Edmund Burke's, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Nicole says to Michelle in the opening, "Let's go find a wild stallion to tame," another allusion to the Ferrari logo.

The radio, lights and thermostat dials were also covered in season 1.9 Officer Blue when Stella (Melina Kanakaredes) and Danny were analyzing the car and the DB was found in the boot.   A secret compartment was meant to be opened when the AC was on, the radio was on full blast and the windshield wipers were on, at least it was a combination of these, but nothing happened 'til Danny hit the horn out of frustration.   The compartment opened revealing a rifle.   Yes I remember that far back.

Father and daughters in criminal activities being part of the family business have been covered a few times on CSI:NY, including the episode Triangle which involved father/daughter thieves.   Last seasons 7.18 Identity Crisis involved  father/daughter pickpocketing team.   Tim Guinee appeared in CSI episode Double Cross, CSI:NY episode Fare Game and CSI:Miami episode Sex and Taxes.   Michelle Page was in CSI:Miami episode Felony Night.

CSI: Miami - 8.1: "Out of Time" Review

We go back in time here to see how the team got together, how forensics came to be used in 1997 and more importantly how Horatio got his trademark shades.

Horatio (David Caruso) and Calleigh (Emily Procter)  search for Delko (Adam Rodriguez) .   Horatio tells her they'll find him if he's out there and true enough it's he who chances upon him first.     Delko stumbling through the Everglades has flashbacks to Calleigh firing at him in the car from last season.   Delko suffers from massive blood loss and flashes back to 1997 again, whilst he's unconscious.

Delko being a salvage truck driver discovers a car in the water.   Cue Horatio in his grey suit, which he no longer wears.   He used to wear a lot of grey in the early seasons of CSI:Miami but wears  mostly black now.   Horatio's partner, Sully (Brad Leland) is shown as he's going to be featured a lot in the remaining episodes this season.  The Vic's been shot, the car is the secondary CS (Crime Scene).   This was a body dump and the Vic was shot elsewhere.   Alexx (Khandi Alexander) works on Delko in the present.

Horatio explains there's bruising on the DB (Dead Body) when gravity pulls the blood down and the other bruising is lividity.   Horatio: "Watch and learn."  Kind of almost telling the same thing to us the viewers too, since it's 1997 and forensics wasn't quite up to the point it is now.   So for us, such things would be new too.   (Also good for new viewers who have chanced upon the show, as it explains some of the basic forensic terminology.)

The husband, Bowers (Jason George)) was away on business, so he came home when he tried to call his wife, who is the DB.   He pawned the gun, but kept the bullets.   Horatio smells bleach in the house.   he's not ready to accuse him of murder straight off, preferring instead to "let's see how the evidence lines up." He also spots the presence of mud being dragged across the floor and bleach has been used on walls;  pondering Bowers motive for killing his wife.

Back to 6 September 1997, Alex conducts the autopsy and removes a bullet from the back of the wife's head, a 9mm.   Same gun as Bowers owned.   The gunshot wound was the COD (Cause of Death) and the TOD (Time of Death) was between 5-8am.   She knew her killer and was taken by surprise.   He attempted to subdue her.   In another of our favourite quotes from Horatio: "I'm just following the evidence." Which is what the show is all about, summing it up nicely.

It's Calleigh's first day, she used to work in Jacksonville.   Really Calleigh, who turns up to work in a white T-shirt on their first day, cop or no cop.   In contrast it's Det.  Jesse Cardoza's (Eddie Cibrian) last day.   She's late for work and she's so naive, answering Lt Dorsey (Harold Sylvester) so positively when he asks her how she slept.

Horatio sends Jesse to investigate since Megan's (Kim Delaney) out in the field.   Naturally Megan had to have a mention as we'd wonder where she is, as she wasn't around very long in season 1.   The primary CS is their home and Jesse asks Horatio for a pump spray.   Boy things must have been really tough and tight if Jesse had to ask for that from Horatio.   Okay he's leaving so wouldn't have one handy, but...    He reconstructs the findings at the CS and records them, verbally.    Bleach residue on the wall, what Horatio found.   Blood behind the baseboard (that's skirting board to us Brits!) And then uses luminol.

Calleigh's an expert in tool marks and firearms.   Calleigh questions the interpretation of Dorsey's science, not the science itself, when she tells him and Horatio about the DOJ (Department of Justice) findings that bullets in packages can have the same lead composition.   Horatio is immediately struck by her enthusiasm and knowledge.   He says they need to change with things and need to look for more evidence.   She's asking the right questions and she should call him Horatio...  my gripe, how did Delko have flashbacks to all these scenes, when he wasn't even around then and was just a lowly salvage truck driver, without any aspirations of being a detective or a CSI, until Horatio gives him the idea and encouragement at the end of the episode.   It's not like anyone would've told him all this.   Logically he can only flash to the parts which involve him!

Tripp (Rex Linn) is just an officer in uniform here and tells of a peeping Tom report filed for an Arnold Hollings (Brad Henke).   Horatio promises him a new computer if he sees one-on the list.   Horatio notices the mud on Holling's shoes but he claims he never entered the house.   He picked up his pay at 6..   She was in the shower as he heard the water.   If he never entered the house, how did he collect his pay?

Sully provides Horatio with motive for Bowers killing his wife: an affair with a waitress and he couldn't afford a divorce.   Horatio is convinced that "science works."  [Sam (Jared Padelacki) really looked like Horatio here in the season 5 episode Changing Channels of Supernatural which had Sam and Dean (Jensen Ackles) impersonate Horatio.]

Calleigh introduces herself to Delko and he asks for her number.   She making it a point to clarify she doesn't "socialize with anyone related to my job."  Well, let's put that into context: there was Det John Hagen (Holt McCallany) in season 1 and then Johhny Whitworth (Jake Berkley) in later episodes, before Delko.   So much for keeping work and personal life separate.   Calleigh has a penchant for cops.   At least Jesse had the presence of mind not to hit on her!

Horatio asks Delko if he's found any sunglasses for him yet, but he hasn't .   Calleigh explains that as the car was underwater, there were no prints, fibres or hairs found.   The front end of the car is damaged so the airbag was not deployed when the car went into the water, but beforehand.   The propellant in the airbag would have been ignited with the gas filling it up, inflating the airbag, just like the primer of a gun, so there would be explosive material and the suspect would have residue on him.   Horatio wants to carry out the Grise test for nitrates, which is what they used when he was with the bomb squad.   Again another mention of this just incase you'd forgotten.

There's evidence of medium velocity spatter and blunt force trauma.   The Vic was hit over the head when standing and fell to her knees, she bled out and it had to be cleared up.   Alexx finds her corpse was desecrated.

Calleigh examines Holling's shirt, under Locard's Exchange Principle: there's trace on his shirt.   More mentions of actual names of procedures used in forensics, that weren't mentioned too often in the show, proper,  itself.

Then there's some exposition from Horatio about how "guns make the news and science doesn't."  This was forensics in its earliest stages, experimental even, before the advanced methods and techniques of today and this episode reflects this.   Calleigh checks for nitrites Bowers proves negative, but Hollings is positive, which places him in the car.   Horatio asks the ASA for a warrant to conduct the Grise test but he agrees with Sully, Bowers did it.

Calleigh was so chipper in this episode and loud too which was irritating to watch!   Delko had the host for her as soon as she arrived, but from the early seasons you'd never have guessed it, I didn't.   Clearly that aspect was an after thought of the writers/producers.

Horatio comforts Delko in his hospital bed.   He knows the fight he's putting up and it would be easy for Delko to slip away to be with Marisol.  (Alana de la Garza).   He also thinks about her too.   But Horatio isn't ready to lose Delko.   Horatio is sorry, he lost her, Ray and Speed (Rory Cochrane) and Delko's all he has left.   So Speed is not a dirty name here and they actually say his name not once, but twice.   Thought they wouldn't bother name dropping him.   Horatio wants Delko to fight., "that's what I need you to do."  Delko flashes to Marisol, thus as soon as Horatio mentions her name, Delko thinks of her, so he could hear Horatio after all.   Fans would have been happy with this line, that he wasn't ready to lose Delko yet, because they weren't either.   So much for Adam leaving, he didn't disappear for long.   Which was a pity as it was like the producers didn't want him gone and they haven't done that with any of the other actors in CSI:Miami.  Also it was a shame since Eddie didn't get much of a look in nor time to have his character developed fully, if at all.   That was one of my peeves.   Why bother bringing Eddie in if they were never going to completely write out Delko from the show!  Why bother announcing you're leaving, if you're not really leaving!

Delko provides Horatio with a clue that Hollings dumped something in the water as he put his weight on one foot.   He finds the gun in the water pipe, where water collects after a storm.   Horatio calls that good police work and Delko replies, "it pays to know your environment."

Meanwhile, Jesse is still at the house working out how 3 droplets of blood were on the window and there's nothing on the ceiling.   Horatio comments the blood drops are out of context (another oft used phrase on the shows.)  Then using Delko's environment quote and conducts an experiment with the AC on in the house.   When Jesse shoots droplets hit the window, but also some spatter is caught on his face.   Hence the killer had to have been spattered too.   Horatio sees something in Holling's nose.   A tiny drop of blood.   A DNA test would be difficult as the defence has a right to examine the DNA also and there is not enough from one droplet.   Horatio contacts a friend at the FBI.   A chance for us to see Natalie Boa Vista (Eva La Rue) working for the FBI.   No two people have the same DNA profile and the blood matches Hollings.

Jesse leaves, only to return, even for a short while, ha.     Horatio is heading up a special investigations team, going to call it CSI.  Jesse knew Speedle and recommends him to Horatio.

Horatio loses his tie and gets his customary shades from Delko.   Take it Delko was always Horatio's favourite from the outset then, as he also encourages him to go to the academy.   When he gets back, he should come and find Horatio, he'll be here.   No, he'll be at the new building!  Delko: "those are you."   It was good to see Horatio as he was back then, his character hasn't changed much, but he's grown weary as he's been on the job for so long.   The scene where he wills Delko to fight and come back shows just how much he's been through, not only in his line of work, but also the personal sacrifices he's had to endure.  Though parts of this episode were amusing, others weren't, his pain was apparent.   But also through the years he has always maintained his composure and his personal creed, or mantra of helping victims and solving the crime, no matter what.

Also liked the way in which Jesse found the evidence, the blood drops on the window, which actually helped Horatio and Jesse figure out who actually was the killer.   A nice parting gift, you could say, on his last day there.

Desperate Housewives - 8.16: "You Take for Granted" Review

As everyone appears to be selfish in this episode, one of the cast is far from that, and sadly was the one to bite the bullet, no pun.

Mary Alice: "In our neighbourhood there are people we see everyday and everyday we take them for granted...might give a polite wave only to return to what we're doing...being preoccupied...What a shame these neighbours take each other for granted because in just a few days, one of them was going to be dead."

Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) "That afternoon old friends got together to share coffee and gossip.  And to discover that they were still old friends."  Bree (Marcia Cross) tells them about Orson (Kyle MacLachlan).  Gaby (Eva Longoria) hopes he better not come round again.  Bree suspects he's suicidal.  Lynette (Felicity Huffman) says he's not the man Bree knew anymore.  Gaby is relieved they're finally in the clear as far as Alejandro is concerned.  Susan (Teri Hatcher) says the letters were the last of the mystery and that's been solved.  Susan: "Our nightmare is finally over."  Yes Susan jinx everything. In fact they're only just beginning, especially for her and Bree.

Roy (Orson Bean) is angry over Karen's (Kathryn Joosten) news.  She'll miss the Christmas lights.  Bree asks if there's anything that she can do for her to let her know, with the emphasis being on 'anything.'  Lynette thinks about throwing a big party for her children if they agree not to procreate.  Tom (Doug Savant) brings over a bottle of champagne for Lynette, then breaks the news about bringing Jane (Andrea Parker) over for Penny's (Darcy Rose Byrnes) birthday party.  She's part of Penny's life now.

Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) and the girls play with a cat and Gaby complains about her allergies.  She gives him a tie for his first day back at work.  Mike (James Denton) spies on Renee's (Vanessa Williams) house and has a gun, which Susan finds out about in the usual way, the old, 'Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me' line that's been done to death. (Oh wrong choice of word.)

Karen wants Bree to help kill her cos Roy refused and Bree has to agree cos she promised she'd do anything.  See the way in which the writer and producers thought they were being clever in deflecting from the real death that would occur?  Of course it wouldn't be Karen. She's not a main character, nor would her death affect a main character in the same way.  Karen needs someone "cold and heartless."  Yeah that's Bree in a nutshell, ha.

Susan makes Mike go to the police and report Donnie (Sal Landi) which just makes things worse and she doesn't realize that.  Mike comments they'll get lucky and something else will happen when Detective Harrison (Derek Webster) says he can't help.  Carlos hates the tie and doesn't want to go back to work.  Maybe he should get some Post-It notes like Jo (Sela Ward) from CSI: NY.  Renee and Bree return from shopping and she tells her about Karen's 'request.'  Bree buys some time when Karen calls and promises to kill her tomorrow and we all know what tomorrow spells.

Jane turns up at the party with a photographer so she can make a memory book.  Lynette ensures she's in every single shot.  She's not going to be upstaged.  Jane isn't family.  She tells Lynette she and Tom are moving in together.  Lynette is angry since they've only known each other three months.  She thought this was a trial separation.  Tom is happy and it takes another woman to make him happy.

Karen lies down under Bree's car so she can run her over.  Marilyn (Jane Entwhistle) calls about Carlos acting strangely at work.  He's giving away money to people who were laid off.  He's using his personal account and the speed at which Gaby grabbed the cheque back from the man was record breaking!  Carlos wants to think of other's suffering.

Susan asks Renee for Donnie's address, maybe she can pay him off. Renee calls Mike a good husband, father and man, and he made her believe in men again.  Bree tells Roy about Karen's intentions and he offers her some rhubarb pie.  Obviously part of rhubarb is poisonous, however Karen's medicated it to kill herself with.  Bree tells Karen she can't kill herself cos no one will remember who she is and about how she tried to do the same.

Jane apologizes to Lynette and chokes on her cheese puff.  Lynette hesitates before helping her.  Lynette is angry Tom didn't find her again.  She then claims she panicked when not helping Jane sooner. Not everyone's a doctor.

Murphy (Michael Dempsey) reads the letter about Bree which Orson sent the police but I still want to know how Orson knew about the construction site and the DB being removed and reburied, unless Bree foolishly blabbed and told him about it.  Cos if she did then she was being hypocritical along with Gaby when they were complaining about Susan and her wanting to come clean when she was feeling guilty.

Carlos talks about Bill from rehab and how his father was a pilot during the Vietnam war and dropped bombs without realizing the true extent of the damage and lives he took.  Carlos is doing the same at work and it's destroying him.  He wants to become a counsellor.  Carlos rescues Juanita (Madison De La Garza) from the roof when she tries to rescue the cat and he wants to give back.  Gaby just calls him selfish.  He's unhappy and throws her tie away.  She says it's his turn to hold the family together but he's been doing that for years.  Once again it's all about the money for Gaby.

Susan has her final conversation with Mike and it should be fitting that it's about him and how he's not afraid of anything.  He always takes care of people, which is what Carlos wants to do.  She wonders why Mike is like that.  He admits his father beat his mother and he was powerless to act.  He can't walk away from seeing people hurt.  She's scared cos it was "never made it clear to you how much I love you."

Donnie shoots Mike and in that moment his life flashes before him...

Mary Alice: "We all take the gift of life for granted.  If only we could slow things down...because before you know it the gift is gone."  Well I can say I saw that coming and how it was always going to be Mike who was killed off, cos it appears Susan has been happy for a long time and she needed to face being alone now.  Also a way in which to perhaps bring Julie back and change her mind about the baby, wanting to raise her.  Also I have to add everyone was selfish in this episode. By everyone I mean Gaby and Lynette.  Both of them were only thinking about themselves, though Gaby says it's about family.  Deep down it's all about her insecurities and wanting money for everything.  She doesn't care what Carlos thinks or wants and he's been working his entire life.

With Lynette, it's about wanting Tom back, in which case she should have tried harder to keep him instead of driving him away.  Now that he's found Jane, she wants him back.  At least Bree tried to help Karen and make her see sense about life being short as it is, and you never know what's around the next corner.  Karen and Juanita almost died, as could have Carlos on the roof.

What I want to know is what was Donnie thinking using a drive-by shooting ploy when all fingers will point to him anyway and he didn't hide the fact he was the shooter?  Does he really think he'll get away with it?  That's the 'waiting for something to happen' Mike mentioned.

Poor Mike seems the most perfect man on the entire Lane was the one destined to go out this way.  After facing all that adversity and prison, turning over a new leaf, he was finally happy.  He didn't have much to do this season but I shall miss him!  Just as well it's the final season.

The title is from a Stephen Sondheim lyric, Good Thing Going, from the musical Merrily We Stroll Along.  In 8.1, Tom says Penny's birthday is already gone; however in 8.4, Penny tells Lynette she had her birthday a month ago.  Carlos has been sober for 34 days and Bree told Karen she tried to commit suicide 3 months ago. Carlos was in rehab then.  Lynette then says Tom's known Jane for 3 months, Bree mentioned her suicide attempt was 3 months ago but Tom was already with Jane back then.  Someone can't count.

Teri Hatcher was against Mike being killed off as she wanted a happy ending since Susan was already a single mother at the start of the series.  So she pitched an idea about him being in witness protection and they all reunite at a Brazilian airport, as she told Entertainment Weekly.  Calling it a "bad idea...I always thought the audience wanted to see Mike and Susan finally happy and safe."  James Denton was more than happy with the idea of being killed off.

Lie To Me - 1.2: "Moral Waiver" Review

Cal and Ria investigate the allegations of sexual assault by a woman in the army against her commanding officer; whilst Gillian and Eli look into the allegations of a bribe accepted by a basketball player.

Cal (Tim Roth) and Ria (Monica Raymund) are on the case of a female soldier, Lake (Alice Lagano) who accuses her commanding officer, Sgt Scott (David Anders) of sexually assaulting her.   Immediately it's apparent there's plenty to lie about in this episode, giving the intrepid team lots to ponder and explain in terms of body language and face contortions.   Or just plain face pulling to the rest of us.   One major attraction of this show is that people lie: be they politicians, lawyers, celebs, so it's fun to see them squirm and have their behaviour explained.   Especially as when they make an expression they don't really notice they're doing something wrong, or are hiding something.   They seem to think their behaviour goes unnoticed.  But lies are always found out, which is why it's great to see it in action.

Cal and Ria question Lake and her facial expressions, body language, reveal she's lying about being raped by Scott.  Evidenced by her not feeling any disgust over what happened to her - if it happened.   Cal and Ria also question Scott who remains calm throughout, even when Cal grabs his arm as he's leaving to feel his muscles.   Cal is hugely impressed with his muscles.  Scott doesn't flinch in the way normally expected, or gets angry, but he isn't gay either.   Ria carries out a background check on Scott and finds he has a criminal record for various crimes, but the one that stands out for Gillian (Kelli Williams) is the arson charge.   This means he's more likely to have raped as both arson and rape are crimes which exhibit the assertion of power.

Gillian and Eli (Brendan Hines) look into allegations of a bribe accepted by a basketball player, Earl (Theodore Perkins).   He could have chosen any school (university) but when questioned on this, he reacts angrily.   Lake's colleagues are brought in for questioning and when Cal questions one of them, the other two watch the video of Lake, which Cal deliberately leaves on pause.   Unbeknown to them, they're being secretly filmed.   when this tape is later watched, it's noticed none of them showed any reactions.   Strange since women are meant to react in a predisposed way to rape if they believe the attack actually occurred.  Lake admits she wasn't attacked but accused Scott to protect her platoon.   Cal notices Ria's negative reaction towards him.  
Cal: "You know, generally it's not a good idea to call your boss an idiot."
Ria: "I didn't say you were an idi..."
Cal: "but your buccinator did...that's a pretty impressive combination of contempt and disgust."

Ria and Eli have a bit of a chat where he asks her about Cal and his abysmal treatment of her.   Especially when Cal noticed her sneering at him earlier.    Eli claims it's cos Ria is "uneducated."   Cal knows she's a natural, whereas he had to study people over the years.   She was naturally born that way.   He then tells her he's never been with a Latina woman before.  Eli that is.   Ria discovers one of the women form the platoon, Rebecca (Amy Rosoff) is missing, AWOL, and her writing matches the anonymous complaint of harassment filed against Scott.   They find her at her grandfather's house and she finally comes clean about being continually raped by Scott in Afghanistan.   Unknown to Ria, Cal has called in the army.

Once behind bars, Rebecca is afraid no one will believe her story.   Cal posits "they won't believe me." Major Harris (Charles Parnell) wants to convene an immediate court martial, but Scott admits to fraternization, stating Rebecca is his girlfriend.   To prove this he gives them photos of the two of them together.   Well that's Mr Sark, oh I mean, Scott  down the river then, that's the worst thing he could have done.   As the photos reveal Rebbecca is afraid of him, shown by her eyes.   Rebecca says she had to go along with what he told her otherwise he would have made her drive lead in the convoy.   She lost a friend driving lead.  Rebecca takes a polygraph saying Scott forced her to have sex with him.   Scott accuses her of lying, causing him to get angry and when that happens, something always lets slip.   He goes on to say that when Rebecca was with him, she'd never have to drive lead.   In the process admitting he did rape her.   Scott was allowed in the army even though he had a criminal record, as he had a "moral waiver" which is funny, not in a laugh out loud kind of way, but as if he had a moral waiver to condone what he did.

Eli shows Gillian photos of Earl on the court, where he feels he's exhibiting an emotion.   But it's not, it's pain.   Gillian asks him to sign a ball for her.   He sticks out his chin, a demonstration of anger.   Eli throws him a ball on purpose which he catches, revealing he is in pain.    He took the bribe, as it's what he's earned, what he would have earned, if he could have played pro basketball.   Gillian later gives him a cheque from a trust fund, set up by Taft for his college fees.   He got good grades in his Econ.  She tells him it's up to him whether he takes it or not.

Cal shows Ria a bottle of Valium, that's how Rebecca passed the polygraph.   He tells her Ria doesn't know about the science of facial recognition so people could get hurt.   She notices a feeling of shame from him when he says people could get hurt.   When she confronts him over this he tells her she doesn't know what she's talking about.   Ria: "You're lying."  Cal: "Get used to it."

Running for three seasons, must have something going for this show, maybe the network had their own facial expressions analyzed for the show to carry on, ha, cos a show just based on lying could get old and boring pretty quickly.   Luckily you get bursts of character defining moments from the cast.   Gillian's a food junky a la "Brenda Leigh 'The Closer' Johnson" style.

Cal's outburst at the hot dog stand about the seller not washing his hands.   Yuk, people who fidget like that should not handle food.   Then Eli tells Gillian not to get a muffin from the muffin stall.   No mention of why Gillian's husband was lying to her from last episode though, which I hope does get an airing.

The Vampire Diaries - 3.4: "Disturbing Behavior" Review

Still in Chicago, Klaus attempts to get Gloria to find who has the necklace, whilst Katherine meets up with Stefan with a plan he should keep Rebekah happy. Almost everyone's noticed Elena's feelings for Damon.

Chicago:  Rebekah (Claire Holt) tries on dresses and remarks on today's generation dressing like prostitutes.   She used to get funny looks back in the day when wearing trousers.   Rebekah claims not to have lost the necklace, just that it's missing.   Stefan's (Paul Wesley) sheepish look when she says it's lost, cos he took it and knows where it is.   Rebekah can feel when Stefan lies.  That's what he forgets at the end, that she knows if he's lying.   Stefan mistakes Katherine for Elena (Nina Dobrev).

At the Carol Lockwood (Susan Walters) founders party, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) comments how everyone brings chili, as will nine other people and that's what Elena's making too.   Elena says she's not in denial and Damon tells her she's still wearing the necklace, a "reminder of your unbreakable bond to Stefan."  Katherine demands to know Stefan's plan, which is to prevent Klaus (Joseph Morgan) from locating the necklace.   Katherine: "Klaus is smarter than everyone."  But is he?  Then warns Stefan that Rebekah will "ruin" him.

Alaric (Matt Davis) suspects something more between Damon and Elena.   Anna (Malese Jow) appears to Jeremy (Steven R McQueen).   She was attempting  to contact him for four days.   Jeremy admits he was dreaming about her now.   Caroline (Candice Accola) comes round to Elena's and you've guessed it, brings a bowl of chili.   You'd be mistaken for thinking chili is some kind of vampire repellent.  Ha.   Damon speaks with the sheriff (Marguerite MacIntyre) and tells her about her gay ex-husband, Bill (Jack Coleman) and his attempt to cure Caroline.   Damon  suggests he should take care of him but she's been trying to keep him off the vervain so she can compel Bill.   Damon bites Bill to determine he's vervain free.   Bill mentions being trained and retrained to control being a vampire.   Damon compels him to leave town.  

Gloria (Charmin Lee) uses Rebekah to find the whereabouts of the necklace.   Elena tells the others that Damon helped her to cook and is burned by the necklace.   A likely story that cooking malarkey since she tells Damon her chili is a family recipe!  It's only a matter of time before Gloria locates said necklace and has flashes of a girl with friends, she needs more time.   Caroline asks Elena if she's "switching Salvatore's" cos she can't change Damon either.   Elena insists she isn't after Damon, yeah if she says it enough times maybe she'll end up believing it.   The necklace rises up, having its own magic.   Bonnie (Katrina Graham) attempts to identify the spell to see what's happening.

Damon believes the founders parties are just an excuse for the council to conspire against vampires.   Alaric warns Damon to back off Elena, ;take a beat from Elena."  Gloria needed more time so Stefan said he was hungry and the three feed.   Rebekah tells Stefan that Klaus isn't any fun either.   Stefan leaves and Klaus thinks it's to write a name on a wall, on his conquest list.  (episode 3.3).   Anna says she's "on the other side" and no one can see her.   She feels the darkness in Vicki.   Vicki can't get in if Jeremy's not willing.

Gloria heard them talk about Stefan and she has no intention of helping "the hybrid;"  having ulterior motives for the necklace as it's a talisman from the original witch and she wants it for herself.   Gloria puts Stefan under a paralysis spell and tortures him to obtain the info; being all for voodoo.   She drains him of blood, his essence, which lets her make a "connection" with the use of herbs as well, such as vervain.   Bill hasn't left town and turns up asking if the sheriff, Damon and Lockwood think the people are stupid.

Bonnie needs to find out about the necklace but the witches are no longer helping her.   She performs a spell with Jeremy's help and Anna tells him the darkness is there.   The books burn.   Stefan has flashes to Elena and Gloria realizes he loves her but what would Klaus want with one girl, she's the doppelganger.   Katherine stabs Gloria and again Stefan needs to be rescued.   Caroline notices Bill.   Damon finds Bill isn't able to be compelled and wants to control the council, wanting to put vervain in the town's water supply.   Elena thinks that's a good idea as it'll keep Damon on side now that Stefan's not around to help him.   Alaric shows up and Damon breaks his neck, thereby ending another of his lives.   So how long will this continue, the dying, the coming back?

Katherine advises Stefan that Klaus is too paranoid to trust him but Rebekah is the opposite so Stefan should bond with Klaus, thus making Rebekah desire Stefan more.   Just now she was saying that Rebekah will be Stefan's ruin.   Stefan confesses he knew them back in the '20's and they were running from a hunter.   Katherine wants in on Stefan's plan for Klaus.   Caroline wants to escape Bill and comes to Tyler's (Michael Trevino) which is a bit obvious.   When they're trying to 'get it on', Elena interrupts with a call.   Damon is impressed with Bill's focus against compulsion but claims his "technique is lazy."  Bill doesn't want to expose Caroline to the town council.   Damon bites him again (was he trying to kill Bill, sorry.)  Stating he's "going to find my pleasure in perfect little moments like this." Caroline pushes Damon away and gives Bill her blood to heal him.   She's been donating a lot of blood lately too.   They then fight.   Damon claims he's stronger and Caroline is angrier.   Damon: "Bummer, I love a good girl fight."

Damon tells Elena in no uncertain terms that he's still a vampire and a monster. "I am not Stefan, how about you try and stop me turning into him."  Elena says she doesn't want Damon to be  what "other people think you are."  Since when does she care what people think.   Are they sure Anna wasn't the darkness.   She was acting a little creepy.   Jeremy shuts Anna out and tells the Bonnie the truth.   Anna despairs, she's alone.

Rebekah still calls Klaus 'Nick' and cares about Klaus.   She can't tell Stefan who the man was last time Stefan saw her but that Klaus "would sacrifice anything for family."  Rebekah was a bit clueless telling Stefan that.   She knows Stefan is lying from his kiss.   Rebekah knows Stefan's asking about Mikael and senses that he's against them.   Alaric wakes.   Damon tells him he took his time, which is what I said, maybe he should check out the ring, suggests Damon.   Alaric: "You killed me."  Everyone was telling Damon how to change and he vented on Alaric.

Caroline confronts Elena about being attracted to Damon.   Elena replies she can't think that cos it doesn't say much about her.  Caroline responds it tells her she's human.   See she probably wanted him all the time and chopping and changing feelings so easily doesn't say much about her.   Bill thanks Caroline for saving him, hey Damon could've just finished him off in the night when he was left there alone.   Caroline tells him she's fine and he tells her she's a vampire and she'll never be okay again.   Alaric wants a say on the council cos there' no one there to speak for humans.   Lockwood's son is a werewolf, and the sheriff's daughter is a vampire.   SO they're hardly neutral.   They need to look out for themselves, the humans that is.

Elena vanishes and Katherine shows up at Damon's who thinks she's Elena, surely they can somehow tell the difference by now between the two.   Katherine snidely asks if they're both fighting already.   Katherine asks him if he wants to get out of town, she's got the necklace.   Just as everyone's talking about wanting Damon to change, in comes Katherine to challenge all that.   With her around, you can be sure she won't really let him change, not that he wants to.

Klaus tells Stefan about Rebekah thinking Stefan wants to hold onto his old life, so he's going to find out what he's hiding.   They return to Mystic Falls as Damon leaves.   Maybe it was me but this episode kind of went round in circles.   Damon insisting he's as bad as he's ever been and his vampire tendencies taking him over to the point of where he actually kills Alaric.   That'll solve the problem for someone who seems to have an affinity towards Damon, who is short on friends and can't really afford to lose them.   Not that he's into this whole friendship deal anyway.   Part of him venting at Alaric has to do with him wanting Damon to steer clear of Elena.   He senses more there and Caroline feels the same about Elena and her burgeoning feelings for Damon, under the guise of wanting to change him.   Well, Damon isn't Stefan and doesn't want to be changed, as he makes it known.  

Then there's Klaus and Stefan and Stefan attempting to keep him off the Elena radar; as in the last episode.   Somehow it's not working as Rebekah makes Klaus do the very thing Stefan doesn't want - return to Mystic Falls and find Elena cos you see Stefan can't lie to save himself (or Elena).   Damon being the better liar no doubt.   Stefan's kissing Rebekah betrays his feelings for Elena when he tells Rebekah he would learn to love someone else eventually.   That won't happen.

Also Jeremy and Anna seem to be "together" one moment and the next he casts her out.   Will she plot some sort of revenge against him or is she genuinely being sincere about Vicki and her own feelings for him in his rejection of her in favour of Bonnie.   But Bonnie's here alive and Anna's a ghost.   He's moved on, or has he?

Good to see Damon lash out, he's not Stefan and never will be, he's his own vampire.   Not changing over the centuries, not that much at any rate.   So why would he change now all of a sudden just to get the girl.   Still strange Caroline kicked his ass when fighting since he's been a vampire for so long, and Caroline is like yesterday's newbie.   Even if she said she was angry.   Stefan's a bit of a puzzle. On the one hand he wants to save those close to him, and yet continues to entertain Klaus and Rebekah with a ravenous feeding frenzy on innocent Vics.   There's nothing good in what he's doing and again in keeping with this episode, his behaviour is more consistent with that of Damon.   As per his remark about fresh blood tasting better when he bit into Bill.

Caroline wants to keep some sort of a relationship with Bill, but he rejects her by reaffirming she's a vampire.   Now that Stefan knows of Mikael, maybe he can use him against Klaus and Rebekah.  Or will that be left to Katherine, as that seems to be her plan and motivation in taking Damon with her?

Smallville - 10.6: "Harvest" Review

Lois is kidnapped for a sacrifice and Clark loses his powers after coming into contact with blue Kryptonite. Tess realizes Alexander is really evil Lex and wants him to die. She can't save him for the redemption she craves.

Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark (Tom Welling) drive to cover a story in the boonies and Lois realizes she can't cover the anti-hero rally story, which will go to Cat Grant who'll get the front page.   Lois questions Clark about all the strange incidents that she came across, which Clark puts down to being Kryptonian, such as the spaceship she found, which belonged to Kara.   Lois is also into the whole Clark being an alien thing, "it's like dating a god."  Thought she was into him for him, not his powers! The car gets a flat tyre which Clark can't fix and has to walk to town.   Lois befriends a girl, Charlotte (Bella King) and stays behind with her.   Charlotte dressed in bonnet and 'old worldly' clothes which were  a big giveaway.   Okay well if not for the clothes then the horse and buggy, but she's happy to ride along with her.   Missing her 'spelling out' evil as soon as she arrived on the scene.   Lois jokes about Clark having to walk all the way, well he'll use his powers.

Tess (Cassidy Freeman) throws a party for Alexander (Connor Stanhope) who has grown in the space of two weeks and hires one of Lex's old doctor's (Lexa Doig) to find him a cure.   Alexander is suffering from accelerated mitosis growth and will be dead within six weeks.  Tess is aware the doctor's done terrible research for Lex in the past and wants to put things right, they both seek redemption.  Tess does as she's feeling guilty over how she was used by Lex.   Whilst they speak outside the room, inside, Alexander begins to draw with red candle wax.   Obviously that's what you get for using red candles on the cake, ha.

Clark returns to find Lois gone and a lowly deputy tries to convince Clark to leave, who looked too smarmy to be interested in Clark's version of events, even after Clark shows him the piece of wood with nails in the road, causing the flat and the buggy tracks.   Clarkie cuts his hand on the tyre rim and it doesn't heal, showing he's in the presence of some form of Kryptonite.  Charlotte takes Lois back to her village in the middle of nowhere and to think she told Clark she couldn't get into any trouble miles from nowhere.   Everyone is preparing for the harvest.   Wake up Lois, she's a reporter and she hasn't noticed the signs somethings not right.   Harvest signifies thanks in the form of a sacrifice and who's going to be that sacrifice: Lois!  She stays for dinner, like a fatted calf but hardly eats anything.

Tess promises Alexander she won't let anything happen to him as he steals the key from her pocket.   He tells her the symbol, 'S' he drew, relates to a man who is powerful and strong and Clark's going to kill him.  She always lets men walk all over her and wanted power by holding onto such powerful men, such as Lex, Oliver, Zod and now Clark.   Locking Tess in his room.   Clark and deputy follow the tracks to an old building and a water trough, where he notices blue Kyrptonite, which has drained him of his powers, allowing him to be clobbered by deputy.   Thought Clark passed out a little too quickly.   Lois wants to leave, but Charlotte lets on she's the sacrifice like her sister, Esther was twenty years ago when the fire rained from the heavens and killed her.  They've been sacrificing women for twenty years.

Lois finds Clark passed out in the room where they're held captive and she finds a trap door, but he doesn't even have the strength to break the padlock.   She uses a hairpin and suggests Clark should change.  "You stick out like a stripper in a seminary" with his clothes.   Trust Lois to come up with the colloquial alliteration.  Watching him she comments, "Why are we never some place  romantic when he takes off his shirt?" Just as they're about to leave, Lois is stopped by a woman as she doesn't have any flowers for the sacrifice and she notices her nail polish.   Lois never used to wear bright nail polish and now wears bright red/orange.  Charlotte's father Joseph Cavanaugh (Ron Lea) slashes Clark with a scythe, who is then buried.   Luckily it's away from the blue Kryptonite, allowing him to recover.

Tess locates Alexander at Clark's barn where he relays Clark saving his life and promising they'd be friends forever, but Clark will kill him.   She tells him he's not Lex but then has her doubts and that those things didn't happen to Alexander.   Finally the penny drops and she realizes Alexander is really Lex.   The doctor's found a cure and synthesizes a small amount after dredging through Lex's research, but Tess throws it into the fire.   Demanding all the research be destroyed, wanting Alexander to die.   Tess is ruthless at times and she understands she can't change Alexander by loving him.   He's Lex and in the same way he was evil, his clone is too.

Clark regaining his powers, returns to save Lois and after long-winded exposition from Cavanaugh on faith and Lois not having any, but she does and she believes.   Cavanaugh's only committing murder.   Clark protects Lois from the blue Kryptonite fire, burning his back - temporarily.   Lois gives a speech, or rather sermon, about Clark descending from the heavens, a messenger who will destroy them with the use of his heat vision and breath and they should fear him.   His back heals and they fall to their knees.  

Back at the barn, Clark gives Lois the Kryptonian diary and says they compliment each other.   Lois says Clark may need to "step into the light soon" and give the people the sort of hero they deserve and can believe in.  "You could be a symbol to inspire everyone that this planet could be a better place." Clark isn't sure they're ready to believe "in a stranger from a strange land." Lois is the one for him and "trust they'll always be there for each other when times get tough." He saves her and she saves him, as he now finds out that Lois pulled the dagger out of him in the season opener and she brought him back.   Lois needs to "know me completely  - no secrets - cos you're the one, you always will be."  Cue song; falling into bed and lots of kissing and passion!  Lois has removed her bright nail polish now.

Alexander shaves off his hair and is now a complete Lex, bald head 'n'all as he looks at himself in the mirror.

Another episode which  breaks away from this season's arc, besides the Alexander storyline; but was too reminiscent of earlier Smallville storylines having been done before.   Also reminded me of Supernatural season 1.11 episode, Scarecrow, where human sacrifices to a pagan god kept the town flourishing.

Doctor Who - 5.5: "Flesh and Stone" Review

The weeping angels wreak yet more havoc as the Doctor attempts to save them form their clutches and Amy from turning to stone and dying in the process, having to deal with the Crack in Amy's wall too.

They all jumped on the Doctor's (Matt Smith) say so and end up on the other side of the catacombs.   Only they're in the same place they were before cos of the anti-gravity function of the ship.   The statues resemble angels and they're feeding off the ship since the ship crashed with the power still on.  They jump into the corridor of the ship, he thought about the gravity failing, which means they'll fall.   Doctor: "See I thought about it."  The angels advance and the Doctor tells them they have to put out the lights in order for him to open the door.  They must look at the angels anywhere but not at their eyes.   River (Alex Kingston) trusts him completely.   "I absolutely trust him."  She says that twice.   Who's she trying to convoince.   The Doctor is only working with them since he doesn't know who River is.   She's the only one who can manage the Doctor.   Octavian (Iain Glen)) threatens to tell the Doctor who River really is if he loses anymore men.   Well he lost men but the threat didn't become real.

They shoot at the angels and manage to squeeze through the other door.   Would have been exciting if at least the angels had got hold of one of the Clerics here, they just seemed to approach but do nothing.  Octavian magnetized the wheel so no angels can get in, but they attempt it.   The Doctor shows them the forest on the ship, as it needs to breathe.  He calls it an "escape route." Amy's (Karen Gillan) counting down from ten.   The Doctor calls it "a forest in a bottle on a spaceship in a maze.   Have I impressed you yet, Amy Pond."  Amy replies, "seven."

Bob (David Atkins) radios in: the angels want all of the ship's energy and then all the universe.   Bob tells him Amy has "the angels in her eye."The Doctor realizes Amy is counting down.   The Crack appears and Bob comments the Doctor and the TARDIS haven't noticed.  Flashback to episode 1, about space and time not touching.  The others leave the ship and head into the forest.  He asks what the Crack is.  Doctor: "Do not blink." He's grabbed by one of the angels, at least he gets his jacket caught and then leaves it behind when he escapes their clutches.   He tells Bob the Crack isn't power, it's "the fire at the end of the universe and I'll tell you something else, never let me talk." Escaping them.

River says 'if he's dead she'll never forgive herself and if if he's not, she'll never forgive him.'  River: "Doctor you're standing right behind me." River scans Amy.   River: "I hate you." Doctor: "You don't."  He says Amy is dying, she watched an angel, as long as the eyes are open they can get inside.   Amy's got an angel in her mind.   Bob explains the angel is making her count for fun, so that she fells afraid.   The Doctor posits if it was a real screen, they'd kill the power, so they must starve the angel.  Amy needs to close her eyes.   She stops counting down and he saves her, which makes a change as it's been Amy to the rescue the past episodes.   Since her countdown is over, she can't open her eyes.

They need to find the primary flightdeck so he'll "do a thing,"  like he always does.  Octavian must accompany River and the Doctor asks if they're engaged.   He replies, "Yes in a manner of speaking."  The Doctor always comes back, he must leave Amy now and she has to learn to trust him.  He asks if she remembers what he told her when she was seven, she must remember.   Amy can't.  The doctor says one bang and every moment in history will crack.   Octavian released River from Stormcage and he's legally responsible for her.  The Doctor knows the date of the explosion when the crack will explode.   (See the episode's end.)  River asks about those who can't read base code.   River knows time is running out.  The Doctor asks what if that could happen.

The Crack appears in the forest.   Doctor says the Crack's time is running out and Amy didn't recognize the Daleks.   Again repeating "time can be rewritten."  Amy opens her eyes long enough to look at the Crack.  Amy asks the clerics about the others but he didn't send anyone to check out the Crack.   That's exactly what the Doctor said about Amy not recalling the Daleks.  The Doctor recalls the Cyberman running around Victorian London and no one remembers it happening around him and he hasn't noticed.  Octavian is caught by an angel and the Doctor has to leave him there.

 Amy is left all alone as she was when she was little.   Octavian warns the Doctor can't trust River and he's said more than he should have.   The Doctor asks why she was in prison.  Octavian: "she killed a man, a good man."  He has to ask, "Who did she kill?" The first time I watched this episode, I said River killed the Doctor: he's the 'good man' - also he sort of answered his own questions when he asks "Who" River killed.  Which is why in season 6, I said that the Doctor knows he's going to be killed all along, that's why he sent out the invites in 6.1, as only he would have done so.   As well as the episode title to 6.7 A Good Man Goes to War.

The Doctor explains that the light is "time running out." He was wrong to leave Amy there and has to direct her back to them - alone.   The angels can just kill her.   If time energy catches up to Amy, she will never have been born and it will "erase her existence." Which is what will happen to him at season's end.   Explaining the time energy will feed on the angels.   They need to feed the time energy something big which will stop it for a while, "like me for instance!" (Again the season finale.)  Amy is surrounded by angels and she has to walk through them.   River got the transporter working and beams Amy aboard.  Doctor: "River song, I could bloody kiss you."  River replies "Maybe when you're older." (Like in season 6.)

Bob advises the Doctor should throw himself into the rupture in time and then everyone can be saved, including the angels.  River: "You're not going to die here." Cos she knows where and when and by whose hand too.  The Doctor notices the angels are drawing all the power, they've forgotten about gravity.   The angels are sucked in the Crack, which disappears from the ship - but only for a moment, as we know.   The angel in her memory never existed, but Amy remembers it all.   Amy's a time traveller which changes how she sees the universe forever.   There was an explosion causing the Crack out there "somewhere in time." River was going to save him by throwing herself into the Crack.

River asks if it has to end this way - a ship will beam her up and she might get a pardon this time.   The Doctor questions her about killing the man, "a good man."  River; "A very good man, best man I've ever known."
Doctor: "Who?" Again with the 'who'.
River: "The story has to be lived."  He'll see her again when the Pandorica opens, which the Doctor calls a fairytale.  "Aren't we all." Answers River.   They were so flirting.  
Doctor: "Can I trust you River Song?"

River: "If you like but where's the fun in that?"  The Doctor goes on about time being re-written again.   Amy wants to return home and tells him about her engagement ring.   He's running from River and she's also running.   She ran away with a strange man.   He asks who she's marrying, the "good-looking one or the other one." (Meaning Rory.) (Arthur Darvill) Pointing to his nose.   He was good too.   Made her think about WHO she wants and they smooch, Amy throwing herself at him.   He fobs her off as best he can, he doesn't get older and he changes.   He realizes finally, everything is about her (which is what I said.)

River mentions the base code of the universe: 26.06.10.  Date for the season 5 finale in the UK.   When the Pandorica opens.

SO knew Amy was just gagging to smooch the Doctor since the first episode and she's not backward in coming forward either.  She was a kissogram after all and wouldn't be shy chasing the Doc in her own brash way.   But to kiss him and find he's not interested.   She also watched him changing clothes in the opener too.   Her wedding date is the explosion in time, which causes the cracks in time, but why her?  Cos the Doctor came to her.

Reference to the fact Amy couldn't recall events that occurred in The Stolen Earth and Journey's End.   The Doctor mentioning the duck pond without any ducks was from the season 5 opener and the Cyberking in Victorian London was from the Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Next Doctor with David Tennant.   The Pandorica was also mentioned by Prisoner Zero in the season 5 opener, The Eleventh Hour.

When the Doctor comforts Amy in the forest, he's wearing his jacket and asks her to recall what he told her when she was seven, but he didn't have his jacket when he escaped the angels in the ship.   He left it behind.  His watch is also different.   (Next episode he's wearing his gold wristwatch.)  In the season 5 finale, this will be explained as the Doctor being here from a different time line, so Amy would remember him when his own time line was beginning to erase.

The beach scenes were filmed at Southerndown, Wales and was seen in the past episode, Bad Wolf Bay.   Where the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) left his double with Rose (Billie Piper.)  SO just think the Tenth Doctor's double is still out there with his face.

Supernatural - 6.9: "Clap Your Hands If You Believe" Review

Supernatural's own foray into X-Files territory when Dean gets abducted by what could possibly be a UFO. Then there has to be some rational explanation, which they do eventually find.

Elwood, Indiana:  A couple in a cornfield see lights and the boy disappears after being taken by the light, similar to a UFO abduction.   Supernatural opens with credits like the X-Files in a homage to the show, ending with the caption, "The truth is in there."  Everyone thinks it is a UFO.   Wayne Whittaker Jr (Robert Picardo) has eye witness accounts of the goings-on.   They're in the "middle of a UFO flap."  A woman thinks it's the work of fairies.  Sam (Jared Padalecki) is direct and abrupt when questioning and asks Dean (Jensen Ackles) if he's taking this seriously.   Dean believes 'old' Sam would have given some "dewy eyed crap" about what is happening.   He tells Sam that he must care about everything.   Sam: "I can't care about what I can't care about. "Dean suggests he should just fake it, like Pinocchio.   Dean will be his conscience, his Jiminey Cricket.

The watchmaker's son, Patrick (Joel Hayes) has disappeared and was 'taken'.   Sam and Dean are reporters now and not agents, cos that would have been too X-Files.   The watchmaker, Brennan (Linden Banks) doesn't want to talk and the watch swings when they leave and he asks if that was okay.   Dean investigates the crop circle.   Sam follows Brennan.   Sam was on his own for a year and did 'fine' without Dean.   Dean doesn't want to know Sam's definition of 'fine'.   Dean has a close encounter when he gets to the crop circle and tells Sam.   He's chased by a light.   Sam asks what kind of encounter he's having, the first or second kind. "Fourth encounter is a butt thing." Sam displays no empathy whatsoever towards Dean's predicament.   Dean vanishes too.   Anyway Sam's too busy checking out waitresses to have a care about Dean.

Sam heads for the crop circle and finds Dean's phone, then pays a call to Whittaker.   He said "The truth is out there."  Sam needs to know how to catch an alien and he shows Sam eye witness accounts.   A hippy chick, Sparrow (Devon Weigel) overhears Sam say his brother was abducted and would like to help - only not the kind of 'help' Dean would want.   Dean is returned and catches Sam together with Sparrow and calls the 'aliens' "grabby, incandescent douchebags."   He was only gone for an hour and Sam tells him he's been gone all night.   Sam calls it a "UFO timeslip" which is present in many abduction stories.

Sam gives him a drink (cos that's all Dean's been doing lately) and Dean avoids sitting on Sam's bed.   He saw a bright white light.   Sam places his hand on Dean's leg by way of comfort.   The light was too bright to look at and Sam questions about the probing table.   Dean hacked and he fired his gun and surprised them.   Dean won his close encounter and is convinced aliens exist.  Sam watches the waitress (Sienna Bohn) again and Dean tells him he should have done everything to get him back.   Sam should have sat in the dark and suffered, even if there was nothing he could have done.   Sam: "Having a soul means suffering." Just like the number of times Dean almost called Lisa.  

Dean notices a man peering in at the window but Sam can't see him.   Dean threatens to hit Sam (again).   The radio comes on to David Bowie's A Space Oddity.   The lights go out and a bright light enters the room.   Dean notices it has nipples and hits him.   He zaps it in the microwave.   Sam can't see the gloop in the microwave.  Dean insists it was a naked woman.   Sam adds it had wings.   These abductions were the work of ultra-terrestrials, i.e.  fairies.   They visit with the woman, Marion, (Trish Allen) Sam made fun of earlier and she tells them fairies come in all shapes and sizes.   That was a clue.   People who are returned can see the fairy.  They take first born sons, Dean being one, and likens it to Rumpelstiltskin.   In service of the King of fairies in Avalon.  Also Oberon.   Sam asks if Dean "serviced" him.   They can leave a bowl of cream out for them, or use iron, burns with silver.   If you spill sugar or salt they have to stop and count the grains.   Sam asks if she's got a bigger tea cup.

Dean sat on the glitter.   They see Brennen stocking up on cream supplies.   Dean checks out the watch shop and sees fairies at work there, like The Elves and the Shoemaker.   My sister said that before Dean did.   Dean calls Sam and he questions Brennan.  He made a deal with the fairies.   Dean sees the old man again from before and follows him.   Sam says that's why he can make so many watches.   Brennan has a soul so what's his excuse.   Dean ends up tracking a little man and gets arrested for jumping him and calling him a fairy.   Don't the police run prints anymore then.   Brennan couldn't work anymore cos of Parkinson's.   He used the spell and it worked.   A leprechaun appeared to "take the fruit and the fat of the land."  His first born, Patrick and others too.   The spell can be reversed.

The Sheriff (Rob Morton)asks what kind of hate crime it was.   The man Dean assaulted is the DA (Colin Naples).   Back at the shop, Brennan is stabbed in the back when he reads from the book - so all that conjuring was for nothing.   It's Whittaker, duh and the clue was when Marion said they take all shapes and sizes.   He's a leprechaun and he encourages UFO stories.   He too gleans Sam isn't like the others and is missing a soul, now that we already know that.   The soul "gives off a certain perfume." His soul can be returned for a price, 'his blue fairy.'  Sam asks if he can "make me a real boy again."   He shoots him and they fight, as does Dean in jail with the old man.   Already said it but why didn't Sam think of using the salt in the gun earlier?   Whittaker has to stop to count the grains.   Sam chants the incantation and the charges against Dean are dropped.

Sam refused his soul, a deal's never good.   Dean must ensure Sam's not having second thoughts about getting his soul back, which he is, that much is obvious.   Plenty  of lore in this episode and a mix of fairytales too, no pun, with Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, the Elves and the Shoemaker.   Kind of reminded me of season 2's Trickster episode 2.15 Tall Tales where Dean claims, "This is my shuttle co-pilot, Major Tom," from A Space Oddity, the song also used here.   In that episode there were tales of college students being abducted and one pledge master was probed in a spaceship.   Sam hugging the roomie adding, "you're too precious for this world" with Dean exclaiming, Sam's "always saying pansy stuff like that."   Season 3's Bedtime Stories alluded to fairytales too.  a forerunner to Once Upon A Time.

Also get to see how Sam handles Dean disappearing, whereas before he'd be frantic, now he just takes his time to shoot the breeze, hook up with a chick and doesn't worry about what he can't fix.   Never mind about Dean being taken.   In the credits there's footage of Sam and Dean portraying FBI agents from past episodes.   It was a chance for us to glimpse soul-less Sam without him having to pretend in front of Dean that he's normal and nothing's wrong.   Sam acts just like Dean here, what with watching all the 'fun' (chicks) so longingly, actually that should read lustfully and wanting his own action.   Unlike Dean he couldn't care less what happened to his brother.   Dean didn't 'get it on' whilst Sam or anyone else for  that matter, was in trouble.   With all the references in past episodes to Sam and Dean not being brothers, but an 'item' and together etc, it should have dawned on Dean the trouble he'd be in by calling the DA a fairy.   Though he wasn't being homophobic but referring to a real fairy.

As for many fans and others rebuking this episode - clearly they've forgotten Supernatural is a show which doesn't take itself too seriously all the time.   It doesn't have to be dark every episode and of course Sam would get 'horny', he's been that way since he returned and we saw him in 6.1 with that prostitute - so his behaviour with Sparrow shouldn't have shocked.   It wouldn't and didn't shock him he has no soul.   Thus he didn't see he was doing anything wrong and in not worrying about Dean.   But as soon as Dean says he'll be Sam's conscience, this is what Sam gets up to when Dean is abducted, so proving he does need Dean around.  That was hilarious and in keeping with 'new' Sam's character thus far.

The abduction scenes of this episode alluded to the Pilot episode in particular of the X-Files with the flashing bright light.   Other episodes included Duane Barry and Ascension, remembered especially for Scully (Gillian Anderson) being abducted.   Here's a joke about Dean being the one to be abducted (even if it was by a fairy) since he refers to Sam as a Scully in the past, a chick, so who was abducted like Scully now.