Author: John Paulsen (Page 60 of 79)

Battlestar Galactica: “A Measure of Salvation”

November 13, 2006 / John Paulsen

Is it just me, or was it fun to watch Baltar squirm a bit in that torture chamber? It’s nice to see the doctor get a little of what’s coming to him, but something tells me he’s going to redeem himself at some point in the series. For now, it looks like the skinjobs have relented with the torture and he should be back in the fold on the mothership.

I’m happy that this storyline with the virus is (seemingly) over. That’s so “ID4.” I would have liked there to be a “Where’s Helo?” scene in the command center when he was running around unplugging computer cables. Wouldn’t Adama want his second in command on the bridge with him during that kind of mission, especially considering Helo’s reservations about the operation?

I find it more than a little poetic that one of the humans who’s had his life positively affected by the Cylons is the one that ultimately saves their entire race. Though if the doctor can whip up a cure, I’m not sure why the Cylons can’t.

Also, it looks like Adama and Roslin are willing to overlook Helo’s betrayal. That was surprising to me considering how strongly they felt about the mission, especially the President. Adama is a stickler on loyalty and the chain of command, so it’s hard to believe that Helo is going to get away scot-free.

Battlestar Galactica, External TV, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

NBC orders a full season of “Studio 60”

November 10, 2006 / John Paulsen

Fans of “Studio 60” can relax…for now. NBC ordered 9 additional episodes of the witty drama that has been struggling in the ratings. The network hasn’t ruled out a scheduling change, however, so stay on your toes.

TV, TV Comedies, TV Dramas

The Office: Absorption

November 10, 2006 / John Paulsen

First of all, the whole “Future Dwight talks to Present Dwight via the fax machine” bit was the best opening sequence of “The Office”…ever.

Anyway, now that the Scranton branch is absorbing the Stamford branch, things are going to get weird. There is a serious love triangle brewing. Actually, if you include Roy (Pam’s ex), it’s sort of a love bucket. Karen likes Jim and he likes her a little, but he still has feelings for Pam, who likes Jim, but Roy has been hanging around and acting sorta normal, which reminds me:

Roy: Do you know that song “Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone” by Cinderella? That’s pretty much better than how I’d say it…in words.

I love the fact that he has to quote Cinderella to relate that cliché/sentiment.

After an awkward episode or two, I think Jim will try things with Karen (through some sort of miscommunication between him and Pam) and Pam will relent and give Roy another chance. Karen is likable, pretty and funny, and would be a good match for Jim, so that will probably go on for a while. In fact, Karen is quite the catch.

It should be interesting.

This one goes out to Roy, wherever he is…

The Office, TV, TV Comedies

Prison Break: “Rendezvous”

November 7, 2006 / John Paulsen

Granted, Bellick and his sidekick aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed, but wouldn’t you search a guy before torturing him? Hell, the key was right there, sticking out of his sock for all of America to see. Anyway, it was fun to see the sidekick hit Bellick over the head a couple of times with that meat tenderizer. So now another guy has an opportunity to take five million dollars and disappear. What are the chances that the sidekick doesn’t end up with the money? I’d say they were pretty good…

And something tells me that T-Bag is going to lose his hand…again. That thing was ripping apart at the seams. Ugh.

I was a little worried about LJ and Lincoln when the van from “Old School” ran them off the road, but once I saw the blonde, I figured they were good to go. She looks like a potential new romance for Linc, assuming the group can get away from the bad guy. It will be interesting to see how that confrontation goes down.

Here’s a theory: all of those “Silence of the Lambs” switcheroos were just a setup for tonight’s non-switcheroo when Michael and Sarah met by the railroad tracks. I saw the car and figured it was him, but they’ve pulled the switch so many times that I was half expecting it to be Haywire or something. Understandably, Sarah wasn’t too pleased about the “run away to Panama” plan, but what was she expecting? Then she pulls a Houdini while Michael’s in the bathroom, leaving a note that said, “This time I know better.” Please. What’s the moral of the story? Stay with Michael or you’ll end up with a gun in your face.

And then there’s Mahone…it’s not too smart to mention Panama to Michael. I loved Scofield’s line just before: “When you get close, I will win…every time.” And how about Sarah telling Michael to put on his seat belt when he got into the car? I sure hope that was intentional comedy.

External TV, Prison Break, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

Battlestar Galactica: “Torn”

November 4, 2006 / John Paulsen

So the Cylons have decided that they want to make Earth their new home. Caprica wasn’t good enough? I’m still not clear what their endgame is. Do they want to annihilate the human race? Do they want to make a new race of human/Cylon hybrids? I’m sure that their goals have religious origins, which could mean just about anything. Luckily they have Baltar to lead the way to Earth…that’s just great. Way to sell out your own race (again), Doctor. At least the search for Earth is on. I was wondering when they’d get to that.

Baltar goes to inspect the infected ship and ends up strangling a Cylon just to shut her up. Then he lies to the seven Cylons about the presence of the human artifact, but Number Six is onto him. I’m not sure how this is going to play out, but like Gaeta said, Baltar’s instincts for survival are unparalleled, so he’s not in any real danger.

What’s the deal with the other five models of Cylons? They can’t even talk about them? Consider my interest appropriately piqued.

Back on Galactica, Starbuck’s line to Lee on the deck was great: “The bird is on the deck! I’m on the deck! I don’t know what you’re bitchin’ about!” I didn’t really understand why she and Tigh took a bunch of shots at those that weren’t involved in the ground war. That storyline seemed a little contrived, but Adama’s speech and actions in the lounge made up for it. First, he kicks over Starbuck’s chair, causing her to run out the room with her tail between her legs. Then he confronts Tigh, who looks like he’s about to spiral downward into oblivion. I still think all he needs is a patch over that eye.

One surprising thing is how much trust Adama puts in Sharon (Athena). I like her character, so I hope this doesn’t backfire on him. Clear something up for me…this is the Sharon that had the baby – is it the same one that shot Adama? I’m pretty sure that one – Boomer, the one who loved Chief – is back with the Cylons.

And then there’s Starbuck, knife in hand, ready to cut that hair of hers. Inside, I was screaming, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” (She looks much better with long hair.)