My top 3 Shows for the week ending September 19, 2014
I think the main reason I am having a difficult time with posting my top 5 this week is that I think I only have a top 3. This week, not only did I not watch much television, what I did see was not all that great. Shows like Hells Kitchen and Top Chef Duels were not even up to their usual entertaining selves, and then there was Z Nation. I really wish I had the time back from that one to watch something else.
I also spent a bunch of time watching sports this week. My Angels won the AL West and are headed to the playoffs so I watched a few games. I also proved my curse of fantasy football in that whenever I watch games, my players perform poorly. This happened way too much this week. And with the League of Legends World Championships starting this week, I spent time spectating those as well.
So the bottom line is that I had 3 shows that I would rate able to make my top 5 this week. Under the Dome, Manhattan, and The Lottery were the also-rans, but I can't rate them high enough this week.
Number 3
Intruders (BBCA) – S1E2 – And Here… You Must Listen (B)
This show continues to intrigue me. I am not really sure what is going on, but they keep revealing tidbits that are enticing. We're starting to learn that this has something to do with immortals and I think some kind of reincarnation. Apparently one of these immortals is now a little girl – Madison – and she's trying to run for her life now that she has 'awakened'. Amy is doing something in Seattle and is apparently one of these immortals and Richard is trying to kill them all. I am getting a little inkling of something akin to Helix and what may be the second season, but this is definitely a show worth watching so far.
Number 2
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – S5E2 – The Good Listener (B)
I am enjoying learning about the relationship between Nucky and the Commodore, I wonder why they waited till the last season to bring it into the show. Perhaps because there is not much really happening this season. I mean, nothing much is happening with the older Nucky. Eli and Van Alden are running things for part of Al Capone's empire and that has been interesting to see, Luciano and Meyer seem to be double crossing everyone, and we get views into Gillian's current situation which I thought we were finished with last season. So far this season seems to be setup for the future episodes so while it makes my list because I like the acting and story, it has not been too exciting.
Number 1
Dr. Who (BBCA) – S8E1 – Deep Breath (B+)
This is the first episode with the new Doctor and I think it went pretty well. I grew a bit tired of the self discovery that he went through, but understand that as a freshly regenerated Doctor, there are some issues – especially since he regenerated more times that thought possible. Clara's uncertainty was a big part of this episode as she had been so fond of the previous incarnation. She plays this episode well, and it isn't until Matt Smith explains how hard it is for him, that she finally accepts Peter Capaldi as 'her' Doctor.
The 'trick' in this episode is kinda like the Angels episodes, but this one has more impact – you don't have to see to stay alive, but you DO have to breath. I enjoyed the steampunk stylings of the robots and their clockwork mechanisms, but the whole hot air baloon made out of human skin was a bit much.
Going back to Peter Capaldi, I think this will be an interesting tenure for the Doctor. I am definitely glad for close captioning as I needed it in some parts – getting used to this new accent will take a bit of time – perhaps binge watching a few episodes will set that straight. I was a bit concerned about his yelling at the dinosaur and his quirky commentary about being Scotish, but at the end of the episode, he seemed to mellow out a bit which was nice. (I wonder how things would be if Scotland separated from England this past week.).
In any case, any episode with Straxx and Vastra in it is a hit with me. I enjoyed this one and it made my Number 1 of the week.
#BoardwalkEmpire #Intruders #DrWho