Fringe Review 402: One Night In October

   This week's episode of Fringe is an improvement on last week's rather disappointing season opener. It fully utilized the format of  the two Fringe teams to excellent effect, while showcasing writing ability and acting at its peak. Lincoln, unfortunately, had his part greatly reduced from last week.
   I thought the serial killer was a lot like Dexter, with him having murderous urges but not being able to control them. On Dexter, the name for those urges is the "Dark Passenger". The version of the killer on this side, on the other hand, had someone to teach him to resist the "Dark Passenger". Likewise, Dexter has the ghost of his dead father to guide him. I guess Pinkner and Wyman like Dexter. It's okay, I do too.
  Still no hide or hair of Walternate. Where the old fart is, I have absolutely no idea. He was supposed to work things out with Our Walter, but no dice. We've seen the Alt-versions of Olivia, Lincoln, Broyles (back from the dead), so when the hell is Walternate going to show up. He'll have to pop up eventually.
   Echoes of Peter are starting to form. First, it was the reflections on Walter's TV, now it's aural hallucinations in Walter's head. He's really making an impression. It reinforces my belief that Peter is alive and well, but trapped inside the Machine. We'll see. No Peter, I think, is responsible for the decline in ratings. When he returns, they will perk up.
  Theory Time: We will finally see Walternate, Peter will return in physical form in the next three episodes, there won't be a third universe, the first one to remember Peter will be Walter, and both Olivias will make peace. Overall, it was a good episode, but Peter must return. Soon.

Terra Nova Review 101: Genesis

   This was supposed to premiere in May, but due to the need for post-production editing, it was pushed back to September. According to surveys conducted before the start of the season, this was one of the most anticipated shows. I mean, Steven Spielberg was one of the executive producers. I guess FOX's Head of Programming, Kevin Reilly, thought it would be a smash hit, even with the numerous delays.  FOX shouldn't have bothered. The show is terrible.
   The hyped-up dinosaur effects, while above-average for a television production, were certainly not worth the outrageous $10 to 20 million dollar price tag. The only show in recent memory that even came close to justifying an enormous pilot cost was Lost. The SyFy channel makes entire movies for a whole lot less than that.
   Speaking of Lost, the actor that played the father, Jason O'Mara, seemed to be channeling Jack Shepherd. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, but he really needs to create his own character, and not steal an iconic one.
  The other actors didn't fare as well. That, I guess you could call it an actor, who played the son was dreadful. Maybe it was the way the character was written, but I was hoping some dinosaur would come along and bite his head off. By far the best of the bunch was Avatar's Stephen Lang. Now that guy can act. He'll probably be killed off.
   Overall, it was a tremendous disappointment. It played like Avatar with dinosaurs, the acting (except for Stephen Lang) sucked, it was way too expensive, and the special effects were overrated. I'll just rewatch Avatar.

The Good Wife Review 301: Bad Bad Thing

  The Good Wife is one of the best shows in recent history. Last season got a Best Drama nomination at the Emmys, and Julianna Margulies deservedly won Best Drama Actress. So you can understand I was greatly looking forward to tonight's premiere.
   I am incredibly sad to say I didn't like it. For one thing, the new Sunday-at 9-o'clock timeslot is awful. I  enjoyed it so much better on Tuesday at 10. It's like a tremendous inconvenience now. When football games run over schedule, this show will push back; and I'll miss Breaking Bad. And next month, The Walking Dead will be on at the same time.
  The episode itself wasn't that great, either. Will, one of my favorite characters, was selfish and obnoxious. The legal case involving a Muslim accused of killing a Jew was preachy. And Alicia herself was smug and self satisfied. As much as it was great to see her and Will together last season, she really shouldn't have done that. She lost her moral superiority over her lying, cheating husband; and she can't get it back.
   Overall, it was a disappointment. Sincerely, Observer.