Shameless

8 Returning Fall Shows…

Summer television is always fun (and if you did not watch The Bold Type, you should get on that), but I am very excited for my Fall shows to return. Here are the ones that I am most excited about.

1. Outlander, season 3 premieres September 10 on Starz, stars Sam Heughan, Caitroina Balfe, Tobias Menzes, Sophie Skelton, and Richard Rankin. At the end of season 2, Jamie was about to head into the Battle of Culloden, so he sent Claire and their unborn child back through the stones, where she was reunited with Frank. I have read the third book, I know what is going to happen (for the most part), and I am still so excited for this to start. Each season the story and performances get better and better.



2. The Good Place, season 2 premieres September 20 on NBC, stars Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, and Manny Jacinto. If you did not watch the first season of this show, go do it immediately. It is hilarious. I have now watched it three times. I do not want to ruin anything for anyone who has not watched it, but I am very excited to see how they move forward going into season two. I also just need more Janet in my life.



3. Lethal Weapon, season 2 premieres September 26 on Fox, stars Clayne Crawford, Damon Wayans, Keesha Sharp, Kevin Rahm, Michelle Mitchenor, Jordana Brewster, Johnathan Fernandez, Richard Cabral, Dante Brown, and Chandler Kinney. I have to admit, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the first season of this show. I figured it would be a pretty cut and dry cop show, but it was a lot more fun. I am very much looking forward to more adventures with Riggs and Murtaugh.



4. Lucifer, season 3 premieres October 2 on Fox, stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Rachael Harris, Kevin Alejandro, D.B. Woodside, Aimee Garcia, Tricia Helfer, Scarlett Estevez, and Tom Welling. Last season ended with Lucifer waking up alone in the desert having had his wings restored. The new season will pick up right where we left off. Lucifer is trying to figure out how he got his wings back, a human Charlotte is putting her life back together, and newcomer Marcus Pierce shows up as a Lieutenant in the LAPD. One of the reasons that I love this show so much is that it really leans in to the ridiculous premise of a crime-solving demon. What can I say? The Devil is charming and sexy.

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Quotes of the Week: December 18-January 7

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

Shameless
Frank: It’s like a family heirloom, only drugs!

Frank: Every time I look at one of you kid’s faces, I see her face looking back at me – smiling, laughing. She was strong. And you’re strong. And she was brave, and you’re brave. I know you didn’t think much of her, but…she loved you. And you wouldn’t be who you are, and I wouldn’t be who I am, if she hadn’t come into our lives. So, hate her if you want…but she’s in you, and that’s a good thing.

The Royals
Eleanor: Don’t ever doubt your words again. They’re perfect. Just believe in them.

No Tomorrow
Evie: You’ve convinced yourself the past doesn’t matter because you’re too afraid to confront it.

Vikings
Ragnar: Everyone will always underestimate you. You must make them pay for it.

Crazyhead
Raquel: Do demons like figure skating? Did you really just ask me that?
Amy: I’m not familiar with their leisure pursuits.

Suzanne: Just because I died doesn’t mean we can’t snuggle.

Sense8
Wolfgang: Happy fuckin’ New Year.

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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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Quotes of the Week: December 4-17

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

Shameless
Debbie: We’re South Siders and we don’t sell out.

The Royals
Jasper: I particularly enjoyed the part where you called me a ‘pretty young thing.’
Eleanor: It’s too soon for that.
Jasper: I gave it a shot.

Simon: I’m the King of England. I don’t do my own wet work.

Timeless
Lucy: If there’s only one person for you in the whole world, and you lose them, does that mean you have to live the rest of your life without anyone else? I think you…we…anyone…has to be open to possibilities.

The Flash
H.R.: The longer you deny someone their potential, the more they’re gonna look for it elsewhere.

Iris: I don’t understand. Where are we?
Barry: Home.

New Girl
Jess: Where does a modern girl go to make a fake guy real?

This Is Us
Rebecca: Nothing bad happens on Christmas Eve.

No Tomorrow
Kareema: You’re like a human hangover.

Hank: Are you dead?
Kareema: Inside? Yes. And I like it that way.

Arrow
Oliver: He’s trying to prove to me that everyone I-I…I come in contact with, everyone close to me dies, and he’s right. Y… I think that uh… I think that all of you should get as far away from me as you possibly can.
Diggle: Oliver, we are exactly where we’re supposed to be.

The Vampire Diaries
Damon: Merry Christmas, Ric!
Alaric: I killed you.
Caroline: You what?!
Alaric: He deserved it.

Caroline: Well, Damon’s alive, as you can see, Bonnie and Enzo are late, and Stefan’s dead. Merry Christmas. I’ve got gifts!

Medici: Masters of Florence
Giovanni: A foolish man lives for himself. A wise man lives with a purpose.

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Quotes of the Week: November 6-12

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.

Shameless
Debbie: Different family. Same fucking Frank.

Fiona: Gallaghers are a lot of things, but no one says we back down from a challenge.

Supergirl
Winn: Guys like us, we are here to give people information. Right? To fight with knowledge. There is no shame in that, man.

Lena: You just missed Supergirl.
Kara: Did I? Golly.

Jane the Virgin
Rogelio: (to Rafael) It is true. You are extremely handsome. I never noticed before.

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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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8 Emmy Nomination Thoughts…

This morning this list of 2016 Emmy Nominations was announced, and I had a few thoughts that I wanted to share. The full list of nominees can be found here: http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners There are several people and shows that were snubbed this year, and several nominations that I am really excited about, these are a just a few of each.

1. Tatiana Maslany
She was nominated for the first time last year, but I am thrilled to see her get recognized again this year. Not only does she play multiple characters every season, but she often plays those different characters playing each other. It sounds complicated, and it is, and she does it beautifully and with such nuance that I forget that it is only one actor playing all these roles.



2. Jane the Virgin
I have said it before, and I will say it again, but this is my favorite show on television right now and I cannot believe that neither Gina Rodriguez or Jaime Camil were not nominated for their work. I do not even know what else to say about that. Thankfully, Anthony Mendez was at least recognized for his amazing voice-overs.



3. Outlander
The only nominations they got were for Production Design and Costumes, which are all well deserved, but no where near enough. I have read the books, and usually know what is coming in each episode, and yet their performances continue to break me into a million pieces every week. Caitroina Balfe and Sam Heughan brilliantly explored the aftermath of last season’s sexual assault, but I think the second half of season 2 counts towards next years Emmys, including Claire’s miscarriage, so maybe that was the reason for the snub…?



4. William H. Macy
I love William H. Macy, and I love to see Shameless get recognized even a little bit but, for me, he is not the best performance on this show. Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Allen White have been killing it for a while now, and Ethan Cutosky was especially amazing this past season. I know this show can be sometimes be pretty dramatic, so maybe Carl’s storyline was just too serious for the comedy category, but I was incredibly impressed by him this year.

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Quotes of the Week: April 3-10

These are my favorite quotes from the past week, not just from shows currently on the air, but also other random things I happen to be watching.

Shameless
Rita: Do I need to call the police?
Ian: Sure. That’s what most people do when they see someone with a mental illness.
Rita: No. You got let go because you lied on your employment application
Ian: Bullshit. What do you think I should have done? Would you have hired me if I had checked that box that said I had a mental illness? What kind of choice is that? Tell the truth, you don’t get the job. Lie, maybe they’ll never find out. What would you do? You’d lie. So would you. So would you. You think because I’m bipolar, an illness that I am managing, by the way, that I can’t do this job where half the people you deal with are mentally ill? Are living on the streets because they can’t get help, or are too sick to know they even need help? You wouldn’t refuse to hire me if I was in a wheelchair, if I had a physical handicap, or HIV. No, because it is illegal to discriminate against someone who is handicapped, and I… I am handicapped. It’s not my fault. I didn’t do anything to bring this on myself. I have a disease. If I show up one day and I’m acting all freaky, then you, or you, or you, Rita, you tell me to go home, and I will go, but don’t tell me I can’t do this job.

Grantchester
Sidney: Maybe my type doesn’t exist.
Geordie: Or is already married?

Quantico
Alex: There’s no such thing as the truth. There’s what you think, what the other person thinks, and then what the world remembers.

The Real O’Neals
Eileen: Look away!
Kenny: What are you doing?
Eileen: I’m eating gay cake on the toilet.

Jimmy: Is this what we’re doing? We’re letting God take out Grandma?

iZombie
Vaughn: That’s Rob Thomas. I mean, there’s something so compelling about the stuff he writes.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Coulson: Gotta admit, this time stuff’s always been a little over my head. Like in Terminator, if John Connor’s alive and able to send his friend back in time to save his mom to make sure he’s born, doesn’t that mean he doesn’t have to?
Lincoln: I, uh, never saw the original Terminator
Coulson: You’re off the team.

Daisy: Wait, what are you gonna do?
Coulson: Find Grant Ward. Yeah. Day got weirder.

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Quotes of the Week: March 13-19

These are my favorite quotes from the past week, not just from shows currently on the air, but also other random things I happen to be watching.

Once Upon a Time
Regina: You defeated me in a way no one thought was possible. You made me your friend, by never giving up on me.

Shameless
Mandy: Don’t worry about him. He’s dead.

Mandy: Just ’cause we were born here, doesn’t mean that we end up here.

Supergirl
Kara: Don’t be jealous. Or do. I don’t really care.

Kara: I would be jealous of anyone you loved.

Cat: I don’t believe in failure. Not if you get back up and face the music.

Lucifer
Lucifer: Speak of the me.

Bitten
Sasha: Torn between my Alpha and my love. My duty and my dream.

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Quotes of the Week: February 14-20

These are my favorite quotes from the past week, not just from shows currently on the air, but also other random things I happen to be watching.

The Good Wife
Eli: Now I get why people have children. They can admire themselves in someone else.

Shameless
Professor Youens: We have only two jobs on this earth. The first, to learn. The second, to cope.

Downton Abbey
Daisy: Oh my God!
Mrs. Hughes: I will thank you not to take the name of the Lord in vain.
Daisy: I hope it’s not in vain! I need all the help I can get.

Anna: They do say that opposites attract.
Lady Mary: Yes, they attract. But do they live happily ever after?

Castle
Beckett: Be charming, but not too charming.
Castle: That’s like asking Superman not to be too super.

Lucifer
Dan: What in God’s name are you doing here?
Lucifer: Nothing in His name. Here on my own, actually.

The Magicians
Margo: A great way to get the things you want is to be so miserable you don’t want them anymore.

Lost Girl
Tamsin: She broke my heart.
Acacia: Silver lining: it made you stronger.

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