Dallas – Season 2

My mom was a fan of the original Dallas (even recording it when we went to HS football games) and I would occasionally watch it with her so I was familiar with the characters but not all of the storylines.  I did remember that the last few seasons weren’t so good and they had to ret-con J.R. killing himself.  But, I always loved Larry Hagman (I watched a lot of I Dream of Jeannie re–runs as a kid) so I decided to give the new version a whirl for a couple of episodes at least.  Turns out, I loved it.  

When news of Larry Hagman’s death got out, I was saddened and worried how the rest of the season would go.  My worries were unfounded.  The show runners did a really great job of honoring J.R.’s (and Larry Hagman’s) memory and importance to the show.  The last half of the season was all about him and wasn’t at the same time.  They did a really good job of crafting a story that dealt with his death and gave the other characters something to sink their teeth into. 

One question I do have though.  When did Cliff Barnes become such an evil bastard?   He was just casually making phone calls and ordering people killed like it was a regular day at the office.  He seems so crazy now, it was totally believable that he’d shoot J.R. in cold blood (though I suspected what had really happened).  He deserves to be in jail anyway so I can’t work up much sympathy for the situation he finds himself in.

Don’t think I like the Elena twist at all.  I didn’t much care for Christopher (He’s my least favorite character, he seems to have all of Bobby‘s worst qualities and none of his good ones.  All self-righteousness and not a whole lot of sympathy or compassion.) and Elena together but I don’t want to see her against the whole Ewing family either.

I’m also a bit disappointed in John Ross.  He was starting to become my favorite character.  He’s naughty but still seems to have a heart.  I think he may truly care for Pamela but he is J.R.’s son.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Overall, I really enjoyed the season and I”m looking forward to see what they do next season. 

 

Photo Credit: TNT

Walking Dead – Season 3

I know it’s been two weeks but I finally had time to sit down and write this up.

I’m not a critic.  If I like a show, I pretty much like everything about it.   I follow blogs, check twitter; I know a lot of people have problems with things and stuff ;).  I may have ideas about where I’d like a show to go but, for the most part, I just enjoy the ride.  That doesn’t mean I don’t have opinions.

A lot happened in the first half of the season  I was disappointed that T-Dog died.  Even though Lori had become one of my least favorite characters, her death was one of the most emotional for me.  The fact that, for a while there, it didn’t seem like there could be more than one black character at a time was disturbing.  I couldn’t stand the wait for the second half of the season with Daryl in danger (though I was pretty sure there was NO chance of him dying).

Going into the beginning of the second half, things slowed down a bit, setting up the conflict that would lead to the big showdown at the end of the season.  I haven’t read the comics (mostly because they are so popular now that the back issues are too expensive for me) but I’ve read synopses online so I know the basic story lines.  I like how the show kind of explored more how “Philip” became the full on evil governor.

Watching Talking Dead after the episodes, I feel like Andrea‘s story line this season could have been a lot better (and so many people wouldn’t have hated her so much) if some of the things Laurie Holden talked about had actually been shown on-screen.  I know that the writers tried to have Andrea explain it during her final scene but, by then, the damage to her character had been done.  As much as I hated to see her character go, Andrea’s death was done very well.  It was emotional and a good tribute to her.  I’m also glad that it was re-shot from what I read was the original scene.  We would’ve gotten more Zombie!Milton but I think it would have been a disservice to her.

It sounds like I’m being critical, that’s not my intention.  There was a lot I loved.  Merle‘s whole story line AFTER he left Woodbury.  I was actually sad to see him go.  Norman Reedus‘ performance all season (bonding with Carl, finding Carol) but especially when he had to kill his brother.  The scene after Lori died, starting from Maggie and Carl walking out with the baby.  Milton.  It’s hard to put everything in a season wrap up post.  I hope to have the time to discuss each episode next season.

Photo credit: AMC