Big Love & Queer as Folk: Comparing Apples to Oranges

A few weeks ago I decided to crash through Big Love for no other reason other than I was bored and figured that it was a random enough choice of show to be my next viewing project. . After getting caught up on Big Love, I was stuck in my "post-marathon withdrawal phase". When you throw yourself into watching a show like I do, essentially spending all the time that I'm not working or doing something for school devouring episode after episode, you kind of feel weird when you finish each experience. Sometimes, if a show is particularly moving, the thought of watching something else can be kind of unappealing. However, probably since Big Love isn't completely over yet, I was actually left unfulfilled, really needing another program.

I'd heard good things about Queer as Folk but never watched it, probably because when it first came out I was twelve and still had parental locks on my television. Hell, I wasn't even allowed to be in the room with my dad when he watched The Sopranos when I was an older teen. Anyway, Queer as Folk became my second marathon viewing session in less than a month's time. I been through 5 seasons in about 6 days aided by the fact that I was completely snowed in at my apartment for the entire week.


I've realized, somewhat amused, that I've just watched two programs back to back that deal with the two "alternative lifestyles" often perceived of as the greatest threats to the "sanctity of marriage", whatever the hell that means. While Big Love centers around the polygamist family of Bill Henrickson and his three wives, Queer as Folk focused on portraying gay and lesbian characters as more than just sassy bit parts. Most would consider these shows to be on absolute opposite ends of the television spectrum at first glance, butit's important to acknowledge what similarities they do have.

• Both made their home on premium cable networks (although Queer as Folk was born on UK television). These are shows that are not available to the mass American audience unless they are subscribers to Showtime or HBO. Both networks are known for groundbreaking television, but at the end of the day any dirt they may have stirred up has been quarantined away from the mass audience. 
• Sexuality is an important part of telling the story. Queer as Folk never held back on sex scenes or sexual situations on purpose. It was a way to make the characters step out of the typical asexual roles most gay characters had always been on television. On Big Love, sexuality is often used as a question mark. If you meet one of your wives for a secret rendezvous, is that an affair? Most of all, on both programs, the main point seemed to be people have sex...deal with it. 
• While every story ever conceived has at least one strong setting, Big Love and Queer as Folk put great importance on the communal meeting ground. Big Love has the backyard between the three houses each wife lives in. Weddings, family dinners, baptisms, stolen kisses, and overheard conversations all happen poolside. Queer as Folk had Babylon, the gay club the boys met at almost every night with its "thumpa thumpa" music.
• Queer as Folk and Big Love both tell the story of people just outside of the mainstream trying to function on Main Street, but even within their own community each individual has a different opinion on where their futures should be within a monogamous and straight world. While Brian Kinney scoffs at the point of gay marriage, his best friend gets married in Toronto where it's legal for him and his partner to do so. Bill Henrickson would prefer his family assimilate into the rest of Utah's society, Alby Grant prefers to keep his life and his religion on polygamist compounds. 

All of these similarities produce an interesting question. Is Big Love really a story about polygamy and Queer as Folk merely a look into the gay life? Of course not. The shows are sequestered away from a larger audience like the people they're about, both intensely sexual in order to remind us of a common thread of human intimacy. Underlined in a strong community center of shared experiences with individual opinions, both Queer as Folk and Big Love challenge their audience to comprehend in order to understand, to understand in order to find acceptance.


Whatever criticisms exist regarding the content or accuracy of either show, it must be said that both are necessary in the television landscape, because entertainment can influence attitudes in impressive speeds. The world is too big, and and our time on it too small, to focus on judging others. In fact, in our world, people like Brian Kinney and people like Bill Henrickson have things in common. Also, frankly, shows like these keep television interesting and evolving. There are so many stories that haven't been told and so many we've repeated to death. Kudos to those who try and change that. 

Fall 2010--Where Have We Been?

Next week is Premiere Week on all the networks, the time of year where all of your favorites come back from summer vacation with sexy tans, great hook-up stories, and a few scars they can't explain because the statute of limitations isn't up yet. That's right, it's time to see all of your old friends again and begin the journey that will be the 2010-2011 television season. BUT! You can't move on without taking into consideration where shows have been. So, here you go...

Fall TV 2010--Retrospective Recap!
SPOILERS, SPOILERS, EVERYWHERE!

Monday, September 20th
HOUSE:

After years of abusing Vicodin, House entered rehab and came back to the 5th season clean and sober. The rest of the season was spent watching him adapt to his new life, which he did surprisingly well, considering how much he relied on the painkillers for all of the time we've known him. Towards the end of the season, a few temptations to begin using again arose, but House only seemed to meet one real challenge: the consequences of doing everything right, but not having any of  those choices matter. After a downtown disaster left a woman crushed by a piece of rubble, House spent hours at her side keeping her company as rescuers tried to free her crushed leg.

While others wanted to amputate her leg free, he convinced her to wait, and when it became obvious she would not be freed any other way, he had to go back on his initial advice and convince her to allow her leg to be cut off. The usual king of snark had one of his most endearing monologues of the entire series, talking to the woman about his struggles with daily pain in his own leg and the road it led him on, essentially admitting major regret for being so stubborn about keeping his leg after his infarction. This blunt honesty convinces the woman to allow him to do the deed, to cut her leg free from the rubble. It was a moment that made this long time House fan feel instantly proud to have watched the show from the beginning, to have seen this character develop to this point. They could have ended the series right there and HOUSE would have felt like a truly victorious program. In a bitter turn of events, once the woman was on her way to the hospital, she suffered from an unexpected fat embolism and could not save her.

This left House in a place we've rarely seen him-- completely lost. He believed he made all the right calls, but his patient died anyway. In the last moments of the show, House rips the bathroom mirror from his wall, revealing a secret stash of Vicodin. Before he can take any, Cuddy shows up. She convinces him that he is stronger than that, and admits she has feelings for him and would like to see where they could go. The scene eerily mirrors House's drugged up fantasy from season five, but this time it's real...and the two kiss. Where the show goes from there is anyone's guess. It's definitely been a roller coaster ride getting to this point, and for the first time I personally see a stable House in our future...perhaps for good.

Tuesday, September 21st
GLEE:

We spent the first season of Glee watching New Directions struggle to the beat of teenage angst. While most definitely a comedy, it's better described as the most bittersweet hour on television. We've watched the mismatched team of jocks, nerds, preps, and underdogs come together by a shared need of a place to call home at McKinley High School, all while their coach fought back and forth with the head cheer coach who wanted the club's destruction for reasons she probably forgot a long time ago. What makes Glee so interesting is watching the most extreme stereotypes simultaneously accept and overcome their various labels. Each week, the audience was treated to a warm hug of acceptance with a bit of song and dance on the side. We all stood up and cheered in our living rooms when they won Sectionals, and all wept like babies when they lost regionals and almost were disbanded.

While there were too many plots to touch on all of them, there are some big ones that need mentioning. Will thought his wife Terri was pregnant, but it turned out she was lying to keep them together as his interests seemed to drift towards the cutie counselor, Emma Pillsbury. After it turned out there was no baby, Terri and Will got divorced, but that didn't mean Will and Emma got together instantly. They struggled with his newfound sense of freedom, and in the end Emma asked for a break. In the finale, she admitted to Will she was seeing her dentist.

The other baby storyline was wrapped as well (probably) with celibacy club president Quinn Fabray giving birth to her and bad boy Puck's baby. The two decided to give the baby up for adoption, and the coach of New Directions rival glee team (Vocal Adrenaline) adopted the baby girl. Tina and Artie had a back and forth relationship developed mostly off screen, though they struggled a little with his being in a wheelchair and her lying about a speech impediment. But, no one was more back and forth than Rachel and Finn. They were dating other people, then together, then not together, etc, etc. In the finale, though, it looked like the two would really make a go of it. Finally, in my personal favorite storyline, Kurt Hummel struggled with coming out to his father and his undeniable crush on the very, very straight Finn.  In an attempt to spend more time with Finn, Kurt set up their parents, but this backfired when Finn and his father Burt started bonding. Though Finn and Kurt worked out a few homophobia issues, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for the almost-step-brothers.

Wednesday, September 22nd
MODERN FAMILY:

Coming off the Emmy win for Best Comedy, the sky is the limit for Modern Family in terms of storyline. Unlike many of the shows mentioned in this blog, most of Modern Family plots are wrapped within the episode and there are few elements that bleed over into longer arcs.

The show is filmed mockumentary style following an extended family at their core united by Jay Pritchett and his children Claire and Mitchell, each who have families of their own. Jay has remarried a younger, gorgeous Columbian woman named Gloria, who has a (mature-for-his-preteen-age) son named Manny. Claire is married to Phil Dunphy, and they have three children, only one of which seems to have a brain, which she uses to annoy her siblings. Mitchell is openly gay and lives with his partner, Cameron Tucker. The two raise a Vietnamese girl (Lily) they adopted.

The first season revolves around the growing pains of a rather diverse family. Claire deals with her perfectionist tendencies and worries that Gloria only married her father for his money. Jay worries he's not young enough for his wife and finds it hard to connect to connect with his stepson. Phil tries and fails to be a "cool dad" and kinda, sorta having a crush on his "mother-in-law" Gloria. Mitchell worries about his father not being comfortable with his sexuality, and he and Cameron both deal with the mishaps of being new to parenthood.

The show truly hasn't even began to tap into all the stories this family could deliver.

Thursday, September 23rd
COMMUNITY VERSUS THE BIG BANG THEORY

Thursday nights are going to be just awful for this television fan. It seemed like all the networks got together and decided to put every single freakin' amusing comedy on at the exact same time for no other reason than to watch the audience struggle with choosing what to watch. No other struggle will be as difficult as the choice between Community and The Big Bang Theory, both ridiculously funny and on at the exact same time. Which will I be watching live and which will I be DVRing?

It's come down to a matter of comparing balls.

With Community, you have the appeal of quirky characters coming together in a study group at a college that probably offers a degree in crazy. Every single episode tries to outdo the last one in terms of clever comedy. The audience got to watch Jeff go from pompous cool guy who thought he was better than everyone else to the slightly less pompous even cooler guy who still thinks he's pretty good but is more open to other people being awesome too. This show isn't afraid to explore multiple types of chemistry, rotating the cast with different pairings each week. One week Troy and Britta might be taking interpretive dance class together, and the next Shirley wants to baptize Annie. Also, just as you think the show wants Jeff and Annie to be their Ross and Rachel, they sneak in the undeniable chemistry of Jeff and Annie. Community revels in its silliness and each character is portrayed as though God herself cast the show.

Then there's The Big Bang Theory. Every episode is a nerd's dream come true. You watch for the pop culture references and the chance to test yourself on how much you remember from college physics. The show develops a back and forth relationship between head nerd Leonard and the cute girl next door, Penny, but after three seasons this has kind of run its course and is getting into beaten-dead-horse territory. But besides the romance, the cast is always good together and truly feels like a nerd family, connecting with its audience very well. The writers of the show are aware that they have a formula that works and allows them to tell relatively fresh stories each week. However, that might be its biggest problem. The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude seems to leave the show uninterested in experimenting. Will Sheldon's new pseudo love interest change that? My instincts say no. TBBT has a pattern of starting stories and ending them off screen. Perhaps this isn't a problem. It will alway be funny. It will always have classic Sheldon scenes. But when looking back at The Big Bang Theory, all I can see is a pattern of comfortable repetition.

Undoubtedly, The Big Bang Theory will probably win in the ratings department, but in terms of quality and ballsiness, my money is on Community for being the bigger risk taker in the name of comedy, making it the real winner in my eyes and the show I will choose to watch live. With Community choosing to be play all its cards and The Big Bang Theory warm and cozy in its place, I do wonder if in the long run CBS regrets the decision to move TBBT.

Friday, September 24th
SUPERNATURAL:

It was the end of the world, but the show must go on. I know very little about this show, but what I do understand is that the season five finale provided a completely clean slate for the show to go just about anywhere. At Comic Con, this panel left such a big impression on me that I started watching the show when I got back. I'm still in season one, but I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about regarding this finale, because every single one of my internet friends was buzzing about it when it came out. I got the impression that the creators put out a piece of television they were truly proud of, something they'd been building towards for a long time, and anytime that happens I'm always intrigued. Not every show sets out long term goals and commits to them. Now that they have achieved those things, I would assume it's now given them a confidence to attempt something new.

Sunday, September 26th
DEXTER:

I'll keep it short. After the single most shocking finale of television I have ever witnessed, you only have two choices: go bold, or quit. The creators of Dexter have chosen to continue on, and I can only assume last years shocking ending has put everyone under pressure to deliver a fantastic followup. It's going to be a challenge to top the feeling the audience shared seeing a puddle of blood and a beloved character killed off. We've all had a year to think about where they could go. Expectations are high. Then again, this is DEXTER, and they don't play around with expectations. They always go bigger and more impressive than anything we lowly viewers could ever dream up.

So, what are your predictions for the Fall? We've only got a few more days until the season premiers decide to sweep us up into another whirlwind of plots and shocks.

Ghostfacers!

“What do you say we kill some evil sons of bitches and we raise a little hell?” Episode 13 of the third season of Supernatural starts out like any other, with a nice recap telling us where we are going and where we have been. An Episode from season one, “Hell House,” is heavily featured in the recap letting us know we are in for some familiar faces, and then everything takes a strange turn. The title turns to static and the show is taken over by Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spangler, the hellhounds we met in “Hell House.” Their names are an homage to Ghostbusters’ Dr. Eagon Spengler and Winston Zeddmore. Supernatural is not afraid to play around with different tropes and genres and in this episode we are treated to a full on mockumentary/parody, making fun of such awesome shows as Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State. I unashamedly love Paranormal State; it’s hilarious and kind of brilliant. Like how Ryan has this demon that has been stalking him through his life but they can’t say it’s name or even show the name, because if you say it you will summon it right into your freaking living room! Anyway I digress. Ghostfacers takes these shows (and reality shows in general) to task and is one of the funniest hours (47 minutes) of television I’ve ever seen.

Ghostfacers starts off with an intro from “professional paranormal investigators” Harry and Ed. This is apparently an unsolicited pilot that they sent out to all the important people in Hollywood. This was Supernatural’s first episode back from the writers strike and with a wink and a nod Harry and Ed sympathize with overworked executives, as Ed states, “who needs writers when you have guys like us?” Warning that the team has faced many horrors to bring about what we are about to see, Harry asks us to “strap in for Ghostfacers!” Cue specially made intro (complete with theme song) and a team of people we haven’t met. Except for Sam and Dean, who somehow make their way into this mess. The episode is shot mostly with hand helds and shaky cam to give us the documentary feel. The lighting is low and enhanced by camera lights and flashlights. Like any good ghost hunting show we start with the team meeting where we learn the case and meet the rest of the crew. There is Ed’s sister (or as he likes to point out adopted sister) Maggie, Tech guy Spruce (he is 15/16 Jew and 1/16 Cherokee), and intern Corbett (who has a big crush on Ed and his beautiful beard). The team plan to spend the night in Morton House. Every 4 years, on a leap year, the Morton house becomes the most haunted house in America.

As the team stakes out the Morton House we hear classic rock in the distance and see a black car driving by, who could it be? Just in case you are slow on the up take we get a quick close up of Sam and Dean. Relieved that it’s “not cops, just hicks,” the team make they’re way into the house cue setting up montage. The action in this episode is intercut with the Ghostfacers’ confessionals, leaving no reality show stone unturned. After the set up we enter “Face Time”, or as Paranormal State would call it, “Dead Time.” This is any time after dark (usually the middle of the night) where you try and antagonize the ghost into showing itself, because if there is something evil lurking about the best course of action is to piss it the hell off. It involves a lot of yelling and swearing, and in this episode we get the bleeped out swear words, complete with a little skull over the mouth. Face Time starts out with the normal camera static and creaky noises most ghost hunting shows capture. Also the discovery of a dead rat which has Harry hilariously declare that, “I don’t really like rats they’re gross. Rats are like the rats of the world.” The team splits up. Harry, Maggie and Spruce come face to face with a live ghost reenacting being shot to death, and Corbett and Ed run smack into Sam and Dean, crazy no? As the team gets together to discuss all the goings on, Sam and Dean try to get the civilians the hell out of there. We go to commercial complete with Ghostfacers commercial bumpers, icing on an already delicious cake.

After this the episode really starts rocking as it brings horror back into the mix. It turns out there are several ghosts haunting the Morton house but the only ones we have seen so far are “death echoes,” ghosts trapped in the moment of their death and harmless. As Dean and Sam argue with the team and try and force them out of the house, Ed notices that Corbett is missing. Cue Corbett’s screams echoing through the house. While everyone looks for Corbett the house seals up, there is no way in and no way out. Sam goes missing right after Corbett causing Dean to yell, “SAAAMMM!!!” “SAM!” is to Supernatural what “WALT!” is to Lost. As the tension mounts the reality show drama is brought back in. Harry and Maggie try to comfort each other and end up making out. A chuckling Spruce films them, and they are caught by an angry Ed, “my best friend, and my best sister.” Ed starts a ridiculous slappy fight with Harry, which is broken up by a pissed off Dean, he doesn’t have time for this shit. Dean walks off yelling, “Sam!” Cut to the creepiest birthday party on the planet. We see Sam, a terrified Corbett and a bunch of bodies wearing birthday hats. As you can see from one of the promotional pics for this episode, this is Dean’s kind of party. We also see a large mean looking ghost who just wants to have a good time. You never want to be the only guy trapped in a room with a killer ghost and a series lead. Of course the adorable gay dies a horrible death, a metal rod through the throat. This happens on screen, do the censors even watch this show? Dean and Spruce rescue Sam just in the knick of time. I know I was worried.

The rest of the team cower in a ring of salt. The fear of possible impending death leads Ed to have a realization and he tells Harry, “It’s totally okay if you do my sister,” earning him a few hits from Maggie. The trio are confronted with the ghost of Corbett who is locked in his last horrible moment. As we learned earlier death echoes can be shocked back to reality if confronted by someone they care about. Harry realizes that Ed is the only one who can set Corbett free, “Ed you gotta go be gay for that poor dead intern, you gotta send him into the light.” Ed summons his courage walks out of the protective salt circle and goes to Corbett. With tears in his eyes he tells him how much he meant to the team, and then he tells his friend what he needs to hear and tells Corbett he loves him. This does get through to Corbett and he is no longer stuck. Damn scene gets me every time I watch. Sam, Dean, and Spruce are trapped in the basement fighting off the big bad. Just when it looks like the bad guy has the upper hand Ghost Corbett appears and totally kicks ass and saves the day. Cut to Harry and Ed wrapping up the episode, saying goodbye and thanks to Corbett, and discussing the important lessons learned. “War changes man, and one woman.” The Episode ends with Sam and Dean watching what we just watched overlaid with the credits that would normally have been at the beginning of the episode. They destroy the footage because, “the world just isn’t ready for the Ghostfacers.” But of course we were more than ready. The episode became a fan favourite and this year the Ghostfacers got their own spinoff webseries. The stupid CW webplayer doesn’t play in Canada, making the webepisodes a bitch for me to find. Not that I’m bitter, they only film how many of their shows here? Anyway children what did we learn from this episode. Well we learned “about how gay love can pierce through the veil of death and save the day.” This was a genre bending episode that was like nothing Supernatural had ever done before. It effectively made the series leads, the guest stars in their own show. It is definitely on my list of top 10 Supernatural episodes.

Miscellaneous Quotes:

“Two lone wolves need other wolves.”

“Yeah, we're not hellhounds anymore, okay? It didn't test that well.”

“I’m not going to whine about my bull**** problems to some bull**** reality show. I’m going to do my ***king job.”

“It’s bizarre how y’all were able to honour Corbett’s memory, while grossly exploiting the manner of his death.”


End notes:

This episode was scribed by Supernatural VIP Ben Edlund, round of applause.
Lindsay has been having trouble getting into season one of Supernatural. I threatened to make her watch it Clockwork Orange style. She thought I was joking.

Everyone seems to be wondering if Supernatural can keep up the momentum in it’s 6th season. I’m not too worried, as this and other episodes prove the writers can do anything with this show.

My prediction for the song used in the seasons 1-5 recap on the premiere episode, ACDC “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It).”

Those Crazy Botwins

In the Season 4 finale of Weeds titled "If You Work for a Living, Then Why Do You Kill Yourself Working", drug dealin' Nancy and coolest-uncle-ever Andy started growing closer. It was a crazy season, definitely not the shows best, but I can easily forgive wackiness and shenanigans if the show delivers me one solid piece of evidence that they still have a head on their shoulders.

For me, this scene was where Nancy is in the bathtub and Andy listens to her talk about all the problems going on in her strange and messed up life. Nancy has been struggling with being involved with working for people who aren't just sneaking drugs into the States, but guns and barely coherent young girls as well. This has left Nancy tormented and she seeks comfort in the bath to think things over.

That's when Andy moseys on in. He comments to her that he can see her boobies. She doesn't seem to care even a little, not telling him to leave. Aware that something is wrong, Andy lingers as she starts to open up about what's going through her mind. She asks him to turn the water back on and add more bubbles, so he does.

For the rest of the scene, we watch as Nancy tells Andy everything that's been happening, but the entire dialogue is muted. The focus is on Nancy looking overwhelmed and small, while the camera occasionally cuts Andy's expressions, not judging and just listening. In those moments, it's clear that Andy starts to realize what the audience has suspected for a while...that he's kind of in love with the unpredictable bird that is Nancy Botwin, his dead brother's wife. Occasionally, Andy turns the water back on, letting the audience know that the two talk for a long, long time.

It's gorgeous and unexpected. It's one of those moments where it doesn't even matter if you want them to be together or not, there's just something wonderful and multi-layered about it-- a private conversation only half heard.

That's My Dog!

From this...

Michael C. Hall is like a unicorn. Mystical and mysterious, one glimpse of him in any show or movie can make you believe in magic, roads made of peppermint, and a world with flying cars. Seriously, the man just exudes this incredible level of acting that only a few performers ever reach, and anything you can see him in is a treat.

I've always known him as Dexter, but was familiar with his role on Six Feet Under as the walking contradiction that is David Fisher. Yesterday I decided to start watching that show again. I started it a year or so ago but never finished, and yesterday seemed like as good a time as any to plod down that trail. Before I did, I took a trip over to Wikipedia, curious to know what episodes Michael C. Hall really got acclaim for. I like doing this, because it allows me to build up my expectations for a certain episode without spoiling details.

From what I read, I got the impression that a certain episode called "That's My Dog!" from the fourth season of the show was a really strong piece of work for him. Figuring I could always go back and watch in order, I decided to cheat a little, go directly to that episode, and watch it. 

What followed was one of the most intense viewings of my entire life. If you are unfamiliar with the plot of "That's My Dog", in the middle of the episode David sees a cute young guy standing by a car on the side of the road, seemingly stranded. Thinking he's going to be a good Samaritan and help the guy out, and perhaps flirt a little as well, David picks up the hitchhiker. They seem to get along and enjoy each other's company, when out of nowhere the hitchhiker punches David and forces him to get cash from an ATM.

..to this...

David spends the rest of the night driving the hitchhiker around town at gunpoint looking to score drugs, being generally terrorized for the duration of the episode. He's beaten, forced to smoke crack, and put through hell. The hitchhiker makes no freaking sense at all, telling stories that turn out to be lies, calling David his best friend in the world only to followup that comment with a death threat. David can never tell when his captor is delusional or coherent, as he seems to blend in and out of both states at a whim.

Just like David, the plot is hijacked. They never go back at any point and followup on stories that had been building in the first part of the episode. Over half of the episode is suddenly dedicated to this one particular point of view, and it is unique and nerve wracking. By the end of the episode, I was watching it through my hands. The terror does not feel staged, scripted, or anything typical of television.

...to this.

Going into the episode, I thought I was going to have a hard time remembering that this was not Dexter Morgan on my screen, the stoic but lethal serial killer. That wasn't the case, however. Michael C. Hall is a natural in his art, a master of submerging so far into a character that you forget that he is an actor. Dexter is nowhere to be found in David, and vice versa. I think he would have moved me to tears in these scenes if I wasn't so caught up in the drama, absolutely convinced that if I moved, something bad would happen to David. That's how close this episode got for me. The fourth wall was extended to surround me in my little economy apartment. I could feel the gravel under my legs and smell the gasoline poured over David's face.

That's good television, my friends. Not everyone knows how to do it like that these days, but plenty of shows still try. It's those shows we should be tuning into, not reruns of Jersey Shore. I promise you, as spiky as they may make their hair, none of them are unicorns.

The Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Lungs, Everywhere

I watched Mad Men for the first time. I’ve been interested in the show for awhile but never made time to watch it. It gets good buzz and wins Emmys. You could say I had high expectations. Except for one voice in the wilderness railing against the show and the honours it receives. My partner in crime around these parts, Lindsay, has no love for this show. I think I may know why. As you get to know us you’ll see that we rate shows on a balls curve (not a typo). We like shows that take big risks, and try new things. Even if the execution isn’t perfect, we give credit for effort. I’ve watched the first 5 episodes of Mad Men, I don’t think Lindsay got much farther, and so far it’s just a show.

In the first 5 episodes the show reflects it’s cartoon intro, it’s pretty but lacks depth. Now don’t get me wrong it is a very good looking show, very well executed. The hair/makeup/wardrobe department deserve all the kudos they receive. The sets are lovely. The CGI backdrops, well for the most part they look like CGI. The cast of course is very pretty. Jon Hamm is a good looking man. Christina Hendricks is stacked. I’m glad the girl has a well paying job because she could never buy clothes off the rack. The rest are all nice to look at, apparently in the past there were no ugly people. The show is also well cast; everyone seems to fit their role like a glove. The characters themselves are somewhat interesting but at this point they lack substance.

I think what’s going to be my biggest barrier to the show is that I don’t care about Don Draper and his bullshit problems. I know this must be some form of sacrilege, but I need less Draper and more everybody else. The first 5 focus heavily on what we know and do not know about Don. I think I was supposed to be intrigued. What I was, was kind of bored and irritated. We first meet him at his job where I guess he is some sort of ad writing genius, saving the big cigarette client with the slogan, “It’s toasted.” I guess that sounds like some crap we the public would swallow. There is such adoration for Don Draper in the media that I was surprised to find that the character is such an asshole. Which isn’t a problem necessarily, I like a good anti-hero as much as the next girl. Right now I just don’t understand what I’m supposed to like about the character. His step-mommy was mean to him, he faked his own death, changed his name, built up this whole new life, and is always unsatisfied. He is an over grown man child trying to sell himself and the image he created more than any product.

So far his main characteristic is extreme selfishness. He drove past his daughters birthday party with her cake in the car, and let everyone think he could be in a ditch somewhere, cause he just couldn’t take being around those people anymore. Seriously he went and parked by the train tracks and moped. His long lost brother came back in the 5th episode. I don’t know if this was supposed to be a shock, but since we don’t really know this character yet he could be anyone. Draper has a long lost brother, sure why not. At one point I thought Draper was going to kill his brother just to protect his secret. He just paid him $5000 to leave town and never come back. However the scene was shot so we wouldn’t be sure what was going to happen until he pulled out the money. We don’t really know what the character is capable of or why he is doing the stuff he is doing yet. To me he is just a selfish brat right now, so I don’t care about his motivation. I don’t hate the character but I hope the show goes towards a more ensemble feel and not just all Don all the time.

Plus everyone else is so much more interesting. At first I was worried that the show was set in the 60s so that they could get away with all the rampant sexism, but the female characters are starting to hold their own. So far I find Don’s long suffering wife the most interesting. I know January Jones gets some crap online but I like her understated performance. I think she really gets across how Betty is trying to hold on to the life she is supposed to want while slowly being eaten up by anxiety and the fear that it’s all going to go away. I like that, despite herself, she is starting to form a friendship with the neighbourhood single mom divorcee. A fate she is desperate to avoid. In a world where image is the most important thing she is the picture perfect housewife. Speaking of the single mom, so far Helen Bishop is awesome. Strong willed, sure of herself, and not taking crap from anybody. I really hope she doesn’t sleep with Don Draper. I haven’t seen enough of the office ladies. I can’t really judge Christina Hendricks’ character Joan Harris yet. She is the experienced lady who has been around the office a few times, and is always available for some good gossip and sage advice but we don’t really know her. Elisabeth Moss plays Peggy, and from what I hear she becomes a very important character. For now she is just kind of there, the fish out of water small town girl trying to make it in the big city. I’m not sure why she slept with Pete in the first episode when he showed up drunk at her apartment. I would have called the cops myself, but I guess she enjoyed his leering creepy behaviour at the office.

Pete Campbell, said creeper, is totally my favourite. He is as big an asshole prick as Draper but I just enjoy him so much more. I watched the first episode being driven crazy by how familiar he looked.Vincent Kartheiser played Connor on Angel. Or as I said "Oh my god it's Connor!!" I swear that's not why his is my favourite, everybody hated Connor. His constant sucking up to Draper while trying to undermine him is hilarious. He is the classic over-privileged jerk, saddled with insecurities, and inadequacies. His friend and co-worker Ken got a short story published in a magazine his father reads so Pete practically asked his new bride to whore herself out to her ex and get him published too. His wife is played by Allison Brie, so don’t feel too bad for her, in another life she gets to make out with Joel Mchale. Pete at least has some self awareness when it comes to his assholeness. “Then I come to this place and you tell me I’m good with people, which is strange, because I’ve never heard that before.” I enjoy watching him try and scheme his way to the top only to get slapped back down. The other mad men to stick out were Sal the artist/closeted homosexual and Paul the copywriter. Sal is funny and I hear they do, do something with him. Paul said he’d kill himself if they cancelled The Twilight Zone, instantly endearing himself to me.

So far watching the show has been an enjoyable experience. The set up is interesting. I like most of the characters, but at this point they mostly exist in their own bubbles. Nobody seems to have any real bonds with anybody else which to me makes the whole thing superficial. I know superficiality is part of the point. We create our own image and sell it, while inside everything is different. I’m looking to see more of the inside stuff. Right now it’s an enjoyable show that looks good, I hope it adds some layers. I will keep watching to try and figure out what all the fuss is about. I’m not yet sure what makes this show stand out from the crowd. Also I hope that Don Draper gets slapped a few times good and hard.

Side note: Is Helen's kid Glen the creepiest kid ever or what. I'm just going to stand her and watch you go to the bathroom, also can I have a piece of your hair. *shudders*

Also if anybody does read this and wants to comment (comments are love, even to tell me what a blind jerk I am), please try not to spoil me. I like surprises.

With Special Guest Star: Ashley

Hello Universe, this is my first blog post. Lindsay has plucked me out of obscurity to share my pearls of wisdom with you all. I'm raw and untested, but I may just have that little bit of spark that you are looking for. Or perhaps you will become annoyed with my shtick and call for my character to be killed off. Only time will tell. One thing you need to know about me is, I love TV. I love it more than I love some people (most people?). Homer Simpson said it best, "Television! Teacher, mother, secret lover." TV is the wind beneath my wings, but I've never really written about it before so this could get interesting.

My love for TV sometimes takes on the cynical love of a cranky Aunt. So don't be offended if I go off on a passive aggressive snarky rant all over something you hold dear. I'm too old and set in my ways to change now. I'm 27 which is almost 30. In internet years that's like 180 years old. For example let's take Lindsay's last post about Heroes, which I agree with. Heroes would have been amazing if it had only lasted one season. Cranky Aunt me would say, "Heroes you really ended up screwing the pooch. Say what you will about your brother Lost, but at least he tried!" I yell and hit TV about the head because I love it and know it can do better. Like any crazy old Aunt I do have my favourite nieces and nephews, which I lavish with praise and hard candies.

I'm a big nerd so the fastest way to my heart is to show me a ghost or an alien. I have watched every series, season, and movie of Star Trek. I'm even an Enterprise apologist (except for that shit finale, season 4 was awesome Trek, people!) My dvd collection, contains Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, Dr. Who, and Torchwood. As you may have deduced from the extra 'u' in favourite, I am Canadian. The location and lack of good cable has left me cut off from many exciting shows. My too watch list seems to keep growing. Thankfully Netflix has promised to come to my barbaric frozen land to gift me with it's streaming goodness, legally and virus free. I should have a lot to write about. Lindsay and I have bonded over our mutual love of TV. We can talk about any episode of any given show for hours on end, so I hope we amuse you all at least half as much as we amuse each other.

Until next time dear readers. Random bat-time, same bat-channel.