Lovesick

8 Episodes from 2016…

My list of favorite episodes each year is usually a combination of things that made me think, and things that just made me really happy. I always like to preface my list with the recognition that these are simply *my* favorite episodes, and not necessarily the best episodes, because I know that there is way too much good TV to make that statement, and that other people have different tastes than me. So, here we go…

1. Game of Thrones “The Winds of Winter”
The previous episode “The Battle of the Bastards” was also fantastic, but this is my favorite because everything starts to come together in the season finale. Cersei refuses to stand trial, and instead blows up the High Sparrow, the Faith Militant, and most of the Tyrell family. Tommen then kills himself, and Cersei takes the Iron Throne. Aria exacts vengeance on House Frey for the Red Wedding. Bran has become the Three-Eyed Raven and learns that Jon Snow is the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Jon and Sansa have reclaimed Winterfell for the Starks, and Jon is named the King of the North by the rest of the Northern families, with a little help from Lyanna Mormont. Daenerys makes Tyrion the Hand of the Queen and begins sailing across the Summer Sea with her dragons and her army, aligned with Dorne, Highgarden, and House Greyjoy. Everything seems to have fallen into place, and it set-up what will hopefully be a eventful season seven. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

2. Black Sails “XXVIII”
I had not read a lot about the show before starting to watch, and have never read Treasure Island, so I actually did not know that the show is a prequel to the book until the end of the most recent season. I mostly just like pirates and decided to finally catch up on the whole series this year. In this season finale, there is an epic battle between Flint’s and Rackham’s crews, the Maroons and the British. After the British are handily defeated, with help from Blackbeard, the pirate captains sit down together and begin to figure out a plan to take back Nassau. Meanwhile, Billy Bones and a few select others have been instilling fear in the people of the island, and Silver is finally given the name ‘Long John Silver.’ Lines have been drawn in Nassau, and if you are not with the pirates, you are against them.

3. 12 Monkeys “Blood Washed Away”
For me, this is the best science fiction show on television right now. Every season I think they cannot possibly blow my mind any more, and then they do, over and over again throughout the season. Cole and Cassie are stuck together in 1958, with no way back to the future unless they stop the primary from causing another paradox. When they fail, they FINALLY admit to each other that they are both in love, and they face those feelings head on. Back in 2044, everyone else is searching for Titan so that they can kill The Witness. This is not the season finale, but it ends in such a way that you have no idea how they could possibly go on from here, and yet they do somehow, and it is excellent.

4. Lovesick “Frankie”
This show makes me laugh a lot. This episode in particular made me cry with laughter. The reason this episode has made my list is because of one specific scene where Angus has eaten hallucinogenic mushrooms and somehow manages to get into the freezer at a grocery store. He is enjoying the cold temperature, and tells Dylan that it’s like being in Narnia. When the grocery store employee tells him to get out, he tries to hide by putting a bag of frozen peas over his face. Later, after Dylan’s car gets a flat tire, Angus is afraid that they are being watched so he runs into the woods and climbs a tree. I chuckle just thinking about it.

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8 Things For Which I Am Thankful…

These are the mostly television related things that I am most thankful for this year. It has been another year of ups and downs and this is what helps get me through it all.

1. No Tomorrow
I wrote an entire post about why I think you should be watching this awesome new CW show, but mostly it just makes me laugh a lot. It is genuine and uplifting, and it is the show that I currently look forward to the most each week. I have actually decided that I am most like Kareema, only she says things out loud and I just think them, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, it has been a great escape these last few months, and I appreciate that more than ever.



2. Lin-Manuel Miranda
Not only do I pretty much have the Hamilton Soundtrack, the Hamilton Mixtape, and the Moana Soundtrack all on repeat right now, but following Lin-Manuel on social media is the best decision I have ever made. Every day, he posts a ‘good morning’ and a ‘good night’ message, and they are always hopeful and encouraging. He is genuine, thoughtful, and supportive, and I just appreciate him. This awesome song from Moana was written by Miranda and sung by Dwayne Johnson:



3. Alfred James Band
When I lived in Philadelphia, I became friends with the Alfred James Band, and even though we have lost touch a bit since I moved to Texas, I was ridiculously excited when they released their second album recently. I had missed hearing these songs, and the album was everything I hoped it would be. I was especially surprised and touched after learning that one of the songs was written for me, and it reminded me that no matter where you go in life, a part of everyone you’ve ever met stays with you forever. You can listen to and download ‘Forgotten,’ as well as the rest of the album here:

4. Gilmore Girls
I probably will not have a chance to watch all four parts of the revival this weekend, but I am so excited!! A part of me is actually a little sad about it, only because I know that once I watch them, then it’s really over. The four words will have been spoken, and there will be no more. But I know that it will be amazing to be back in Stars Hollow with these characters and, for that, I am grateful.

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Quotes of the Week: November 13-19

These are my favorite quotes from the past week, mostly from shows currently on the air, but also other random things I happen to be watching.

Supergirl
James: This is who I am. I can’t hide behind my camera anymore. If there’s a cost, I’ll pay it.

Lucifer
Jensen: Carbs are the Devil’s spawn, man.
Lucifer: Don’t blame your weaknesses on me!

Timeless
Agent Christopher: When you find Flynn, maybe you can blind him with that suit.
Wyatt: I look like Greg Brady.
Agent Christopher: Well, go find Marcia and Peter and get going.

Mark Felt: All I want is a president who plays by the same rules as everyone else. Now is that too much to ask?

The Flash
Barry: There is no Flash without Iris West.

New Girl
Schmidt: This just proves my theory that if you were a man, you would have a very difficult time getting an erection.
Jess: You have a theory about that?

Schmidt: My wife gave me a fat-man scarf!

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8 Returning Fall Shows…

It has been a long time since I last posted. I was distracted this summer with the Olympics, a family vacation, and trying to catch up on way too much television. I am going to try to be more consistent with my posts, but I cannot make any guarantees. Thank you for your patience…if there is anyone still out there reading.

There is a lot of good television right now, as every other TV writer likes to remind us, but these are the returning eight shows that I am most excited about this Fall. Please share your favorite returning shows in the comments!

1. Narcos, season 2 will be released September 2 on Netflix, stars Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, Joanna Christie, Maurice Compte, Stephanie Sigman, Manolo Cardona, Andre Mattos, Roberto Urbina, and Diego Catano. Based on the true story of Pablo Escobar, the first season ended with Escobar escaping from prison, which launches a huge manhunt. While the first season spanned over ten years, season two focuses on the last year and a half of Escobar’s life. Wagner Moura’s portrayal of the drug kingpin is mesmerizing, and it is just a really interesting, well-told story. Even though I know it is a dramatization, it is fascinating to see how Escobar rose to power, and I will be equally interested to see how he got taken down.



2. Blindspot, season 2 premieres September 14th at 10/9c on NBC, stars Jaimie Alexander, Sullivan Stapleton, Rob Brown, Audrey Esparza, Ashley Johnson, Ukweli Roach, Luke Mitchell, Michelle Hurd, and Archie Panjabi. Jane and the FBI have finally learned that she is not Taylor, but there are still so many mysteries surrounding her, her mission, and her tattoos. There are tons of twists and turns, and in season one they were so well executed, every episode had me on the edge of my seat. I also just really love to watch Jaimie Alexander kick lots of ass.



3. Younger, season 3 premieres September 28th at 10/9c on TV Land, stars Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Hilary Duff, Nico Tortorella, Molly Bernard, Dan Amboyer, and Peter Hermann. I love this show so much. I love the cast. I love the writing. Liza is still keeping her age a secret from almost all of her friends and co-workers, but I am not sure how much longer she will be able to keep up the ruse. She is also in a delicious love triangle with her 20-something boyfriend, who knows she is actually in her 40s, and her 40-something boss, who does not know she is not in her 20s. It is funny and heartwarming and fantastic.



4. Shameless, season premieres October 2nd at 9/8c on Showtime, stars Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, Jeremy Allen White, Cameron Monaghan, Emma Kenney, Ethan Cutkosky, Brenden Sims, Steve Howey, and Shanola Hampton. This is one of the best ensemble casts on television right now, and they do not get nearly enough recognition for the amazing work they have continued to do on this show for the last seven seasons. The Gallaghers never fail to entertain.

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