Bones season 4 – off the shelf

Wow – I didn’t think it could get worse than the 3^rd season finale.

Not that any particular episode was worse – but the entire season overall was unimpressive, limp and slightly boring. It became my scrapbooking show, so I no longer actually paid 100% attention to it.

It is a procedural show, and I never really understand the immense popularity of these shows. Nothing ever changes in them (except the cast, the victim and the murder weapon) – but this year Bones really felt stale. I hated what they did with Zack, and although I’ve always enjoyed the chemistry between Bones and Booth, I just wasn’t too pleased with the direction they were taking the show this season.

The first 2 episodes in London were pretty cool, if only because I actually live in London, but even then it was a case of the same old tired stereotypes of the British people and the Americans. The season didn’t improve until the wonderful Cesar came along to work his magic – and then it plodded on.

I did like the twist towards the end: firstly with Booth getting knocked out and dreaming about a hockey player, and then being captured by the gravedigger and hallucinating about an old army buddy who died. And as apprehensive as I was about the appearance of Stewie (Yes, from Family Guy) – it actually worked, particularly when they reveal Booth has a brain tumour. That was probably the best plot point the entire season and beautifully played out throughout the season.

I didn’t even mind the revolving door of interns, even though they apparently promised it would be resovled and it actually never was. There were a few good ones in there who I wouldn’t mind seeing again (unless Zack comes back).

I actually enjoyed the final episode, set inside Booth’s head (and boy, maybe we should change the name of the show to Booth) because it was terrific seeing the characters in a different set-up (and hopefully Zack’s mysterious words mean he’ll be released and allowed back into the fold – I miss him).

The low point – gee where do I begin? The stale familiar routine began to really grate this season and it just lost its spark. No Zack. See, show? You need the wonderfulness of Zack to survive.

The high point might have to be Stewie, and the plot behind him. Because that was crack!tastic.

I’m tentatively closing the book on this one this season. Unless we end up totally snowed in for months on end, I just don’t have the heart to get involved anymore – unless they bring Zack back. Bring the fun back. The show needs it.

Being Erica: in the good books

La-la-la-la-la…..la-la-la-la-la… This show was a surprise hit in an understated way. And I’m grateful for the free newspaper delivered to our hotel room every morning while on holidays over the New Year; otherwise I would never have even known this show existed. I was curious by the premise, as it seemed to be mixing light hearted chick drama with a bit of a sci-fi fix and decided to give it a shot. And I enjoyed it from the first – they showed how every trip back in time made her grow up a little but without changing her past too greatly (as in the first episode where she went back to fix an embarrassing high school moment, it was replaced with another embarrassing moment, so same result, but different outcome…does that make sense?) For such a frothy show, it delved into some really great concepts of how our actions create the person we are, and how selfish we can really be, in only thinking about ourselves and how we respond to the people around us. We all think everyone is affected by our actions, and they are, but not in the way we think they are. This show grew on me, and it became a highlight amongst the drivel the US networks were offering. An earnest young woman whose life is in the shit and how she changes her own character and the way she does things in order to boost her life and move it forward…and while they use the sci-fi element here of letting her go back to the future to change her regrets, the show also works in a way to remind us all we can move on ourselves – because the lessons she learns are so varied in how they shape her character you can see how sometimes it’s not the journey which helps her, but just the knowledge she’s empowered herself which has thrust her forward. And it helps when the guys are so damn cute. I hope Dr Tom is coming back for a second season, but it looks like they’re throwing us for a twist, one I’m not sure will be an enjoyable ride. Ultimately, the relationship between Erica Strange and Dr Tom was one of the main focal points of the show; I hope it survives without it. Because I love this little unassuming show about a nondescript girl struggling to make her way in that little city called Toronto (I’ve been there!) It’s also been amazing to the layers unfolding with her family; how her close relationship with her sister became estranged only for Sam to subconsciously realise her sister’s been right all along, her strained relationship with her mother changes once she learns exactly how much she gave up and kept secret from the girls, and then to lose the faith she once had in her father. It all displays a normal/dysfunctional family in such a brilliant way, slowly revealing all these 3 dimensional characters, and you can actually see yourself in them, see your own family members. It really grips you – surprisingly, considering its light-hearted banter with a sci-fi twist. The lowest point had to be the second or third episodes, when the show was still finding its feet and occasionally clunky, although earnest to the ninth degree. The highest point? The episode where Erica goes back to the 70s and meets her parents when they were hippies: it is one of the most comical scenes I’ve seen on TV in a long time and features one of my all time favourite songs, FTW. I;m very eagerly awaiting season 2 – even if there is no Dr Tom, even if they fluff the storyline now with the new stark and cold “doctor!” I want more Erica Strange.

watch this space

ooh i’ve neglected you. i apologise! what with holidays and work taking over, life…just moved on.

i’ll be doing overall reviews of each of the seasons in the coming weeks, try and finish a few shows, decide what to watch in the coming season (trust me, the list has narrowed) and go back to the beginning of torchwood (because i need to remind myself why i loved it in the first place and forget the depression of season 3).

so stick around – i’m back!