This N That Thursday

I’m impressed. I’ll admit it.

Last night’s episode of CSI was actually one of the best they’ve had in a very long time – at least since Marg’s departure. 

Maybe it’s because they started off the episode playing a Patsy Cline song in the diner.

Maybe it’s because there was an actual case (even though I figured it out before the opening credits) without all of the soap opera-ish drama from one of the main characters.

Maybe it’s because Arye Gross returned as another charming baddie like the first time around. (You may remember he was the guy who intentionally left his baby to die in the car on a very hot Vegas day. That was back in season 4’s “Feeling the heat”) 

Maybe it’s because both Officers Akers & Metcalf had speaking parts.

Maybe it’s because we finally got to see the real Sara Sidle back in action (and even with a gun) – compassionate towards the victims in the diner, yet feisty & driven when going against the stalker.

Let’s just say it was “all of the above” – plus more. Such as:
- DB helping Ecklie get dressed, or even seeing Ecklie in ‘normal’ clothes instead of a suit.
- Fin needing an hour of alone time with all of the blood evidence.
- Greg stuck in the freezer (and not admitting it to anyone.)
- Fin & DB’s “Stumped vs thinking” discussion.
- and that Fin/DB ending being such a Cath/Gil moment from the early seasons – right down to the bright red blouse and leather jacket.












Adam Harrington was great as Ronald Basderic in this episode. He was in the pilot ep for Mob Doctor, as well as Stargate SG-1 back in the day. And of course, there’s Del Hunter-White (Connie, the bus driver) who had a small role in season 1’s “Blood Drops” as the Family Services rep that tried to take Brenda, who clung to Sara instead at the hospital. Oh, and just for good measure, she was the 9-1-1 operator at the beginning of the Women’s Murder Club finale. (I really miss WMC)

For the first time in a real long time, I finally saw a CSI episode that seemed to hearken back to the ‘good old days’ (seasons 1-5)


I won’t go so far as to say I was “impressed” with the premiere of Nashville last night, but I will admit that it “didn’t suck” as bad as I was expecting. However, I think I attribute that more to the location than to the content of the show. I loved seeing the aerial views of Nashville, and of course, the Bluebird Café, which I’ve been to, and even sat for one of the performances. Now I understand what some previews meant when they mentioned that the city of Nashville was one of the main stars itself.

As for the story – I’d call it a fictional version of Reba McEntire vs Carrie Underwood. Reba, of course, would be Connie Britton’s character, Rayna Jaymes. Carrie being Hayden Panttiere’s character, Juliette Barnes. I had to laugh at the part where Rayna said “Shut Up” when watching Juliette’s video. And of course Rayna’s comment in the office – “you can kiss ‘my decision’ as it’s walking out the door.” The part that endeared me the most is when the guys in the studio were talking about how Juliette’s singing could easily be fixed with Autotune. I’m glad to see the show is at least keeping things real. I saw a tweet from singer/musician Matraca Berg last night that said they got the music business part of the show pretty close to real. At least they got in snips of a few old country classics, like Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by your man” and John Conlee’s “Rose Colored Glasses”






Was it just me, or did all of the guys seem to look alike? I was having a very hard time trying to keep track of who was who. Deacon, Teddy, Avery… I think they had a specific type in mind when casting. If they were trying to make me sympathetic towards Juliette by showing the druggie mother begging for money, it wasn’t working. It seems that only works on me when it happens on Rizzoli and Isles (when they showed us Lydia’s mother.)


I would actually go as far as saying that I enjoyed the premiere of Arrow more than Nashville. I was pleasantly surprised that Arrow kept me intrigued for the full episode. There was some great action, as well as the duality of toughness vs charm with Oliver Queen. And was it charming or tacky that they even played Queen’s “We are the champions” in the episode? And what better way to start a new series than have Brian Markinson as the evil baddie? Can’t get any better than that. And Oliver’s secret lair actually reminded me of Oracle’s setup in the clocktower in Birds of Prey. And how about the dis on Twilight? “ What’s Twilight?” – “you’re so better off not knowing.” ROFL



 



Of course, Chicago Fire was the big winner for the night, in my book. I gave you my thoughts on that one yesterday. I just need to mention that having a few of the actors live-tweeting during the show helps increase my interest in the show as well. Monica Raymund and Lauren German were both tweeting. I love how Monica & Lauren have already put out a poll for the Gabriella Dawson & Leslie Shay ship name - “Shawson” and “Lesbriela”. It seems that “Shawson” was the one chosen and will be the ship moniker. That was quick. Monica also tweeted “That's a real firehouse we shot in. sometimes the PA goes off for the real fire fighters who are gracious enough to let us film in there.” I love those little tidbits of info.














Last, but not least, I also tuned in to SVU last night as well. It made me smile to see Liv & Amanda getting paired up as partners now. See, I guess miracles do happen and prayers get answered. Well, at least for one episode, I guess. I know that won’t last forever.

Happy 10-11-12 Day!