While last night’s television offerings were pretty slim, I have to say that every show stepped up it’s game this week. Dollhouse had it’s best episode ever as Echo encounters some problems while attempting a dangerous heist. Meanwhile Terminator finally snapped out of it’s snorefest ways of the last three weeks in order to finally give us another exciting episode. Finally Friday Night Lights gave us a final goodbye to another beloved character.
Dollhouse S1.E4 Gray Hour
This was the best episode of Dollhouse so far. It finally seems that Dollhouse is starting to get things together. Three things in particular stood out in this week’s episode that put it as the best Dollhouse episode so far.
First as most fans will agree, this week’s identity was the first good use of an active unlike Echo’s identities as a hostage negotiator, human target, bodyguard, and midwife. Unless these clients have a bunch of money to waste, I think they could find a cheaper alternative. At least during this weeks episode I could actually see a client shelling out big bucks in order to get an expert safecracker.
The second thing I enjoyed about the episode is that the series implanted the same identity into two actives. (I wonder if this will end up happening again in the future.) It created a unique dynamic especially when both actives with the identity thought exactly the same way. One question I had though is why the Dollhouse doesn’t have more control over the active’s personality. I can see them keeping the attitude for the job but I don’t know why they wouldn’t program something into the personality that would force them to obey easier without having to be convinced to help out. For example why did they have to go through all the trouble of “paying” Sierra. Why couldn’t they program them to just help whenever they are needed.
The final thing I liked and which should continue into the future is that the series is finally starting to develop more of a season long storyline. While it has been hinted towards in previous episodes, this week is the first time you are really starting to see it develop. I am guessing that is partially because according to Joss Whedon the first five episodes of the series are more single episode type storylines and then the show starts to focus more on the overarching storyline. It now appears that either another organization or Alpha are targeting the Dollhouse. I think this could bring a unique angle to the show which had been lacking in the first three episodes.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles S2.E17 Ourselves Alone
After three snorefest episodes it’s about time that Terminator finally got back on track. If these last three episodes have shown anything it is that while Sarah is an interesting character, she cannot carry the series by herself. The team returned this week and things immediately got better.
From Cameron’s “problems” to the girl fight this week’s episode got back to what Terminator truly is: a sci-fi thriller. Maybe it was because of budgetary reasons but I don’t know why the show thought they could pull off sci-fi drama.
The events of this week’s episode should lead into some interesting storylines for the rest of the season which will most likely end in Terminator’s series finale (unless a miracle happens and Fox renews Terminator).Will Cameron go haywire and try to kill John? Will John suspect Cameron for Riley’s murder? Will John and Sarah be able to trust Derek after they find out what he has has been doing behind their backs? It should be a pretty interesting end to the season as long as Terminator remembers what kind of show it really is.
Friday Night Lights S3.E8 New York New York
Friday Night Lights NBC run is now two thirds complete and I am getting the feeling that we are getting the show’s swan song. While Friday Night Lights still has a chance to be picked up, I wouldn’t bet on it happening unless DirectTV foots almost all the bill to produce a fourth season. While Friday Night Lights fans will try to blame NBC for the show being cancelled, Friday Night Lights is just not getting good enough ratings for a network show.
With that said I might anger some people but I really don’t care either way about what happens with the series. The series has been good throughout but you can’t really be that upset if it is indeed cancelled since the show was lucky enough to even get three seasons. It was pretty surprising that it got even a second season and the only reason it got a third was because of DirectTV.
The main reason I don’t care about what happens with the renewal is that it appears like the show prepared for a series finale and is doing a pretty good job wrapping up storylines at least in my opinion. I am assuming this week’s episode was Jason Street’s farewell just like Smash’s was a couple episodes ago. I personally would rather have a series end on a good note than be picked up for an extra season if the show is just going to fall apart. If Friday Night Lights is picked up for another season I will be shocked but I will gladly continue watching. I am just not going to get up my hopes and just enjoy the rest of the season.
