Strike Back

8 Characters to the Rescue…

Author Brenda Hiatt, posted this question on Facebook: “You’ve been kidnapped. You can call on the characters from one television show to make a rescue attempt. Which show do you pick?” My pick would be Strike Back. Then I started thinking about which individual characters from different shows I would want to come save me. So, here is that list.

1. Veronica Mars – Veronica Mars
She is a private detective that no one ever suspects is actually a private detective. She always has her taser with her and she will not stop until she has the problem figured out. She will even work with people she does not like in order to get the answers she is looking for.



2. Sgt. Michael Stonebridge – Strike Back
It was hard to choose between Strike Back’s Michael and Damien but, ultimately, I think Michael is the more level-headed one…plus, he has a sexy British accent. He is also a Royal Marine who works for an elite special operations unit and always has that sharp military focus.



3. The Doctor – Doctor Who
If you are kidnapped by aliens, you would definitely want his help. How else is the team going to get to the ship or planet where you are being held? I also always thought Veronica would make a good companion for him.



4. Brian Finch – Limitless
On NZT, he is basically the smartest person on the planet. He will be able to see clues that other people miss. He might clash with the Doctor a bit, but I think that they would ultimately be interested in working with each other.

(more…)

8 Episodes from 2015

Here are my favorite episodes of television from the past year in no particular order. If it is possible, there was even more good television than last year and it was very difficult to pick only eight episodes. They are not necessarily the BEST episodes from the year, just the ones that I enjoyed and the ones that affected me the most.

1. Justified – The Promise
I am not really sure what made me interested in checking out this show when it first aired. Timothy Olyphant was definitely a factor, but there just must have been something about those first trailers that drew me in. And I am so glad that they did because it quickly became one of my favorite shows on TV. Each season was engaging and they had some of the best guest stars of any show on TV. This finale not only wrapped up the season’s arc with an epic shootout, but also brought Raylan’s, Ava’s and Boyd’s stories full circle. Everyone ended up exactly where they should.

2. The Flash – Fast Enough / Arrow – Legends of Yesterday
Okay, so this is technically two episodes, but since it was a two-part crossover, I am counting them as one. There are so many things that I love about these shows, including the fact that The Flash has consistently had the best special effects of any show on TV and Arrow has the best stunts. I also really found the music in these episodes to be inspiring. It was subtle, but in the Flash episode, you could hear Arrow themes overlayed and in the Arrow episode you could hear Flash themes. It was beautiful and awesome. These episodes also introduced us to Hawkgirl, Hawkman and Vandal Savage, who will all be featured on the new series Legends of Tomorrow. I just love how these shows intertwine so seamlessly, yet still maintain their individual tones.

3. Outlander – Wentworth Prison
The performances in this episode from Sam Heughan, Caitroina Balfe and Tobias Menzies just blew me away and broke my heart. It was an incredibly difficult episode to watch, even as someone who has read the books and knew what was going to happen, but is was so well done. We saw just how evil and broken Black Jack Randall truly is and also what lengths Jamie would go to in order to protect Claire. It was an extremely powerful and moving episode of television, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

4. Playing House – Celebrate Me Scones
One word: Bosephus! This season finale also gave us Kenny Loggins and his pun-tastic green room, as well as Jeanine Willcall and a heartwrenching cliff-hanger. You would think that having one of my best friends from high school working at the network, I would be able to get *some* intel on whether or not there would be a third season, but my mind control skills do not seem to be working. I NEED MORE OF THIS AMAZING SHOW!

(more…)

Quotes of the Week: October 4-10

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.

The Great British Baking Show
Howard: When I’ve made this previously, people were quite impressed… That was my mum and dad, though.

The Good Wife
Grace: (On the phone) Alicia Florrick, Attorney-at-Law…Yes, she’s busy, your honor. Can she call you back?
Alicia: Who is it?
Grace: No one. I’m calling myself.

How I Met Your Mother
Robin: Have you ever had one of those days where nothing at all that monumental happens but, by the end of it, you have no idea who you are anymore or what they hell you’re doing with your life?

Blindspot
Weller: I’ve been looking for you my whole life.

Castle
Lucy: Hello. I’m your new home operating system. My name is Lucy. What’s yours?
Castle: My name is Rick Castle and…and…my wife just left me.
Lucy: Yikes. Sucks to be you, Rick.

The Flash
Iris: If you keep getting no for an answer, stop asking questions.
Joe: I say that! You quotin’ me to me?
Iris: What can I say? You are a *very* smart man.

Caitlin: That light was perfect bait. What made you think of that?
Cisco: I don’t know. I think I saw it in a comic book somewhere.

Arrow
Oliver: Felicity Smoak, you have failed this omelet.

The Goldbergs
Coach Mellor: Third graders, out! You have no use to me until you develop adult bodies that can play something besides tag!

Pops: Rugelach is a friendship food.

(more…)

Quotes of the Week: September 20-26

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.

Primetime Emmy Awards
Jeffrey Tambor: Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your stories. Thank you for letting us be part of the change.

Frances McDormand: We’re all here because the power of a story well told. Sometimes that’s enough.

Viola Davis: The only thing that separates women of color from everyone else is opportunity.

The Great British Baking Show
Sue: You know, there’s a penalty for taking someone’s crème anglaise. You get taken into ‘custardy.’

Life In Pieces
Tyler: You lost your virginity to a couch?

Gotham
Bruce: I’m building a bomb to blow down that door. You may assist me, or not, as you wish. But if not, some tea would be nice.
Alfred: Right, well, you’re gonna need ten more sack of that gear, for starters; three more dairy cans, too; and extra timber; a heavy tarpaulin. And I’ll put the kettle on.

Blindspot
Dr. Borden: You’re not helpless. We’re defined by our choices. You just don’t remember yours.

Chasing Life
Sara: Sometimes you have to listen to your heart, no matter how selfish it sounds.

Limitless
Brian: Everybody says you’re going to be President soon.
Senator Morra: I haven’t officially announced that yet, but, between me and you, I don’t even know if I’m gonna run. Do you know how much time we get off in the Senate? It’s shocking, really. I don’t know if I can give it up.

(more…)

Quotes of the Week: September 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.

Masters of Sex
Betty: I used to pray evey night to God to take me apart and put the pieces back together only a little different just so that I wouldn’t have to feel what I felt. I wouldn’t have to want what I wanted. But then I met Helen and, for some reason, I couldn’t understand she loved me, and I…I didn’t all of a sudden feel right, but seeing myself through someone else’s eyes, it makes a difference.

Chasing Life
Danny: So you’re gonna ditch trivia night for a fun, innocent day trip with your ex-girlfriend to her dead husband’s camp for sick kids. That should be a totally normal experience.

The Bastard Executioner
Wilkin: I serve God and family, not cause or crown.

Zoo
Abe: Even before all this began, people who love cats should have kept themselves hidden.

You’re The Worst
Gretchen: Get off the counter, banana. You fancy now.

Strike Back
Stonebridge: On the bright side, it is a chance to inject young Damien here with some culture.
Scott: I got culture comin’ outta my ass.
Stonebridge: Most opera involves sex, violence, death and betrayal. So, yes, this should be right up your alley.
Scott: See, that sounds good.

Quotes of the Week: August 23-September 5

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

The Last Ship
CMC Jeter: We’ve taken our fair share of hits these past few weeks. Suffered painful loses. Sometimes it feels like more than we can bear. Yet here we gather. United. Shipmates. Every time we’re called, we answer: “Here I am.” We answer knowing that the world, the survival of our species, depends on our actions here at sea, and fully aware that we answer at our own peril, and still we answer: “Here. I. Am.” I’m not gonna put a silver lining around our pain. Today we grieve. And we remember our fallen and we thank them for their service to us and to mankind. Yes, today we grieve, but tomorrow we do press on. We continue to answer the call: “Here I am.”

Public Morals
Terry: Think of us as the landlords and, if you wanna stay in business, you gotta pay your rent.

Rookie Blue
Sam: The only reason I ever thought I could be a dad in the first place is because of you. Being with you has changed me. I’m a better man, which means I might actually be able to be the dad I never thought I could be. And I want to show that to you. I want to be that…with you.

Strike Back
Stonebridge: Aborting the mission’s an option.
Scott: No fucking way.
Stonebridge: Ha. Which we discussed maturely and both agreed on.
Scott: Thank you.

(more…)

Quotes of the Week: July 26-August 8

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

The Last Ship
Tex: Who’s that?
Cdr Chandler: Jeffrey Michener, Commander in Chief.
Tex: Come again, boss?
Cdr Chandler: He’s the President of the United States!

Chasing Life
Emma: You know what they say about a man with a giant pet snake? He’s a loser!

UnREAL
Rachel: I clearly have issues with my boundaries.

Faith: I don’t know if anyone’s told you, but you are a player. If I drew a vagina on a white piece of paper, you’d probably hit on it.

Adam: You are a hateful, conniving bitch. You know that?
Quinn: Thank you.

The Astronaut Wives Club
Trudy: Honey, you have orbited the Earth. I’m pretty sure you can handle carpool and meatloaf…and laundry.

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Danny: Hey! A cool thing is happening over here! Everyone run toward it!

(more…)

8 Servicewomen…

Since I gave you my list of favorite TV Servicemen for Veterans Day, I now present my favorite TV Servicewomen in honor of Independence Day.

1. Jill Perez – Enlisted, played by Angelique Cabral.
Perez is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army assigned to a Rear Detachment Unit stationed at Fort McGee in Florida. She wants to be an Army Ranger and she smells like America.

2. Julia Richmond – Strike Back, played by Michelle Lukes.
Sergeant Richmond is the chief communication officer and field operative for Section 20, an elite covert British military intelligence and counter-terrorism unit originally formed within the Secret Intelligence Service.

3. Hollis Mann – NCIS, played by Susanna Thompson.
Before joining the Department of Defense, Hollis was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and part of the Criminal Investigation Division.

4. Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan – M.A.S.H., played by Loretta Swit.
Major Houlihan was a member of the United States Army Nurse Corps and in charge of all the nurses at the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) during the Korean War.

(more…)

8 Returning Summer Shows…

This list was actually harder to create than I thought it would be, considering summer is usually the slow season. There is just too much good TV and I ended up excluding several of my favorite shows.

1. Halt and Catch Fire season two premieres May 31 on AMC, stars Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, Kerry Bishé, Toby Huss, and Aleksa Palladino. The second season jumps ahead to 1985 and focuses on Mutiny, the company started by Cameron and her group of online gamers. The first season of this show was not spectacular, but I am hearing great things about a new season reboot.



2. The Last Ship season two premieres June 21 on TNT, stars Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra, Adam Baldwin, Travis Van Winkle, Marissa Neitling, Christina Elmore, Charles Parnell, Jocko Sims, and John Pyper-Ferguson. At the end of season one, the crew of the USS Nathan James arrived in Baltimore with the cure, only to find that things had changed in ways they never expected. This show is just a lot of fun. What could be better than cute boys (and girls, for those so inclined) in uniforms saving the world from a deadly virus?



3. Suits season five premieres June 24 on USA, stars Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Meghan Markle, Rick Hoffman, and Sarah Rafferty. Mike and Rachel are engaged. Donna has left Harvey to work for Louis. Jessica is still awesome. And I cannot wait to see what will happen next at Pearson Specter Litt.



4. Rectify season three premieres July 9 on Sundance, stars Aden Young, Abigail Spencer, J. Smith-Cameron, Adelaide Clemens, Clayne Crawford, Jake Austin Walker, Bruce McKinnon, Luke Kirby, Carl Daggett, and Kerwin Whitman. I have to be honest, I still have a few episodes from last season that I still need to watch, so I am not totally sure what is happening on the show this season. What I do know is that this show is beautifully acted and brilliantly written and you should join me in getting caught up before the new season starts!

(more…)

Quotes of the Week: April 19-25

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.

Jane the Virgin
Rogelio: I don’t like to use the term ‘triple threat,’ because this suggests that I am only limited to three skills, but the fact is, in addition to acting and dancing, I’m a rather phenomenal singer.

Narrator: Run, Petra! Run!

Rogelio: I just wanted to say that I am truly sorry for not making love to you in Tampa.
Amanda: Thank you for saying that.
Rogelio: You’re so very welcome

iZombie
Liv: Slow your roll, silver-tongued devil.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cal: Memory Lane isn’t always that fun to visit.

Younger
Diana: I need you to be on your game today, Liza, and then raise your game several levels to my game.

Strike Back
Sinclair: So, what’s my role? Apart from ‘sitting duck.’
Stonebridge: Grab the girl. She’ll make a perfect shield. No one’s gonna shoot you with her in the way.
Sinclair: Doesn’t sound very chivalrous, but I like it.

Martinez: What the hell’s he doing?
Scott: Somethin’ brave or somethin’ stupid. Can’t tell yet.

Arrow
Diggle: League of Assassins. You’re feared for your bravery and power. But all I see are a bunch of weak men running from their lives. Trying to escape. That’s not powerful, Maseo, or brave. That’s cowardly.

Ra’s: There’s one immutable truth about life: it is often more cruel than it is fair.

Orphan Black
Alison: I could beat her Donnie. I could beat her like a French meringue.

Ramon: What makes you think you have the stones for this line of work?
Alison: Oh, we have the stones.
Donnie: Yeah. Don’t doubt our stones. We have ample stones.

Helena: I met your brother. He’s ugly.

Outlander
Jenny: Do I have to do what I did when we were bairns? Grab you by the bollocks to make you stand still and listen to me?
Jamie: Do not try to shame me in front of my own wife!
Jenny: Well, if she’s your wife, I imagine she’s more familiar with your balls than I am. Don’t test me brother.