Gotham was an interesting idea right from the start, playing on the comic book fans love of Batman by looking at the early years of the Caped Crusader, Jim Gordon and a vast array of villains we would all come to love and hate. However, I don’t think the people behind the show really understood just exactly what they were undertaking here and the show suffered a severe identity crisis because of it. As we moved into season two things became a bit more clear, plot lines a little more coherent and Gotham seemed more confident at what it actually was becoming a show. This continued at the start of season three but with the addition to more characters and story lines, things have gotten a little convoluted again.
Let’s start with season one.

The biggest mistake the showrunners made was trying too hard to please all of the comic book fans around the world. Too much time was spent doing a ‘nod-nod, wink-wink’ concerning all the up and coming villains in Gotham, not to mention many familiar characters that play important roles as the years role on. While a young Bruce Wayne was obviously the main character early on, in quickly became clear that Jim Gordon was going to be the ‘Batman’ of Gotham.

The show spends most of its time seeing the city of Gotham through the eyes of Gordon, who at this time is a detective and honestly, not a great one. In fact, the GCPD itself is a bloody mess which is just fine for the villains and scum that inhabit the streets. A lot of time was spent on the building of storylines of competing crime families and outfits, with characters like Falcone, Maroni, and Fish Mooney all vying to take over Gotham in some way, shape or form. Penguin also became a big part of the story and this wasn’t a bad thing, except when they spent too much time rehashing the same old thing, making his character less interesting which in itself is a crime.

This is where Gotham had its full-blown identity crisis. One minute it’s incredibly brutal and bloody the next, a cartoon come to life embracing all of its villains in a way that must have made the fanboys weep with glee. These two sides were so extreme in nature it totally crippled the show, especially in the second half of the season and is something it couldn’t shake right up to the finale of season one.

Season two was where some great villains came out to shine, Gordon took a walk down the dark side and overall, the show became much more evil. This is a good thing as Gotham seemed to pick a direction and go with it, even if some episodes cried out for a more adult time slot then its regular 8pm. Ed Nygma/The Riddler, Hugo Strange and The Joker not only made memorable appearances but impacted the show in many ways that are still being felt in season three.

One of the big questions about Gotham was how they were going to handle the Joker. I was pleasantly surprised by both the performance of Cameron Monaghan as the psychotic madman but the way the show handled him as well. You don’t need to nitpick and say technically he’s not really the Joker, even though it’s true, but you just need to appreciate the story woven around such an iconic character and be glad that Monaghan took the character on with no fear and made it his own.

The same thing can be said, although at this point to a lesser degree, for The Riddler and Penguin, who in season two are being slowly set up to be important parts of the show. Throw in Hugo Strange, his bizarre experiments, and the Theo Galavan/Azrael arc and you have quite a few bad guys vying for our attention. Amazingly, this was not a bad thing but too many other characters and storylines got lost in the shuffle. Bullock needs a lot more screen time, Fish needs a lot less and Barbara…well, she was awesome when she went completely crazy but up until then, she was very disposable.

Season two wound up with the Court of Owls appearing and Bruce vowing to take them down, as well as a collection of freaks and monsters being released on the streets of Gotham, thanks to Hugo Strange and his experiments that were secretly funded by the Wayne Foundation. Not only that but Gordon left the city to try and find Lee. Chaos ruled the streets and while the show sometimes suffered it was at least more fun than season one.

As Gotham rolled into season three, I was very unsure of what to expect but thankfully, the show rolled out a great villain and a new Gordon. (sort of) I was not very excited about Mad Hatter as a villain but he has been a wonderful surprise. Crazy, smart and lots of fun he has caused complete chaos so far and in the right kind of ways. He doesn’t seem like one of the ‘big’ name villains in the whole Batman mythology but he is having a great impact so far in season three.

Another nice surprise was the character switch for Jim Gordon. No longer a cop, he is now a bounty hunter and man, has he embraced his dark side. Feeling free from the police force and no longer shackled by their ‘rules’, Gordon goes after criminals his way and damn anyone who gets in the way. The crazy thing is, this is the most likable his character has ever been and it’s been fun watching him play loose with the rules and not worry about protecting his badge.

However, the best thing to happen so far is the relationship that has blossomed between The Riddler and Penguin. Both are future super criminals that would kill each other without a second thought but they become a very effective team and in a twisted, humorous way it is almost a romance of sorts. It works on many levels and is evil fun and with so many possibilities it boggles the mind.

The Court of Owls also bares their teeth this season, showing how far their reach really is in terms of both people and companies. Bruce originally bows to their threats but after finding a weakness he changes his mind and plows straight ahead with plans of destroying them. The only thing that might stop him is the clumsy romance the writers keep trying to ram down our throats with Selina Kyle.

The best/worst thing about Gotham is summed up in the fact that I have no idea where season three is going and I don’t know if the writers do, either. Just sit back and enjoy the chaos and here’s hoping it’s a lot of fun along the way.

Genre: Drama
Network: FOX
Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2016

To summarize what many are saying about the latest season of Orange is the New Black or OITNB, let’s turn to one Vox.com reviewer:

…incredibly bleak. It was so brutally hard to watch sometimes that knots would form in my stomach and stay for hours — and yet I couldn’t stop. This latest set of episodes is a powerful reminder of why this show was, and remains, so hypnotizing.

Enough said? Maybe not, and it is important to understand more about this surprising hit. From the powerful opening montage with its haunting theme song by Regina Spektor, fans tend to be hooked straight away. However, one of the things that viewers may forget is the fact that from its theme song to its individual characters and episodes, Orange Is the New Black is about one thing – the willpower it takes to survive confinement.

And season four is making that incredibly clear. Digging deeper than other seasons, it is exploring power struggles from every conceivable angle, with the biggest question being just who should have the power inside the prison walls.

Taking its cues from reality, including the look at a prison shifting from state control to a for-profit entity, it shows how miserable and failed our current prison system has become. Overcrowding, cheap workers, poorly planned accommodation, and the tensions that build from such clashing values serve as the spine of the season’s storylines.

In the midst of this major shift, viewers had to track two power struggles – one at the administrative level and the other at the prisoner level. The prisoners deal with constant racial strife, with classic color lines making life a misery. Victimization at the hands of guards, another element pulled from real life, continues in the narrative, as does the horror of solitary confinement techniques. The privileged class makes an appearance, causing even more strife and conflict and yet this season builds on the tension between inmates and guards the most.

As a reviewer explained:

…new Litchfield marching orders become never thinking of the prisoners as people but rather as faceless criminals who deserve nothing but the walls surrounding them.

Prisons as business alter the entire dynamic of real-world settings, and it has greatly changed the entire “vibe” of Orange is the New Black too. In the name of saving money and boosting profit margins, administrators make fatally flawed choices or create systems in which the abuse of power creates human suffering at unprecedented levels. What is everyone saying about the fourth season of the show? It is dark, and it is startlingly realistic. It is a revealing season, allowing fans to get to know characters a bit better than ever before, and yet the sense of confinement is the strongest most have ever experienced. Trapped and fighting for any sense of personal space, freedom or individuality, the main characters are much less about entertainment this season, and far more realistic.

There is something comforting about the sameness of TV and its scripted predictability. Channels have gotten away with reruns for years—the stuff that we’ve seen time and time again—and instead of demanding new shows, we ask for more reruns!

It takes a lot to get a TV show off the ground though, and in some cases a simple phone call or a minor casting decision could have forever changed the face of some of our most treasured and iconic shows.

Let’s take a look at how things shook out behind the scenes of four beloved TV shows.

Friends

11. Casting Directors are Fickle

A last minute casting decision on Frasier lead to a last minute addition on Friends. Lisa Kudrow had initially landed the roll of Roz on Frasier but after she was let go from the show she got the role as Phoebe in Friends.
Imagine if Ellen DeGeneres had been on the show. Her turning down the role of Phoebe meant that it was still available for Kudrow when she was let go from Fraiser.

10. It’s all up to the Writers

Speaking of Phoebe, she and Chandler were originally intended to be supporting characters and not part of the main six that make up the iconic cast. If that’s not enough, Monica and Joe were originally meant to be the romantic focus of the show.
We now know (by heart) the changes the show’s writers made and America approves.

9. It’s all about the Benjamins

To attach a dollars and cents value to the show’s growth, each cast member was making about $22,500 per episode at the show’s beginning. Later on down the road when the series ended they were each cashing checks for $1 million per episode.

Breaking Bad

8. Pinkman Gets a Break

In the original script Aaron Paul’s character Jessie Pinkman was slated to die at the end of season 1. Director Vince Gilligan rewrote the entire show to keep Jessie in the story after he saw the chemistry between star Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.

7. Stick to the Script

It may seem as though a lot of the slang and banter is improvised but the reality is that almost all of the ‘…bitch’ lines were written in. Unlike some shows where improvisation is fostered by the director, Breaking Bad’s cast reported scenes that were nearly 99% scripted with just a sliver of improvisation making its way onto the show.
Remember in season three when Walt throws a pizza onto the garage roof in frustration? That wasn’t scripted; it was an accident that was done in a single lucky take.

Game of  Thrones

6. Vegetable Switcheroo

While his character on screen may take advantage of all the pleasures life offers Peter Dinklage is a very strict vegetarian. Any time you ever see Tyrion Lannister eating succulent meat or gorging himself at a feast the meat is always tofu.

5. Have you read Game of Thrones?

Most of the cast hasn’t. In an effort to make their reactions as genuine and real as possible many of the cast members haven’t read the books.
Game of Thrones was originally intended to be a movie but author George R.R. Martin didn’t sign on to the idea of cutting away so much of his story. If that had been the case, the motion picture version of the books would have been much different.

4. Blondies

The golden straw hair of Daenerys (played by Emilia Clarke) is a high quality wig; the actress is naturally a brunette. Sansa Stark played by actress Sophie Turner is actually a natural blonde and has to regularly dye her hair to keep up with the show.
Sophie Turner also adopted the dog that played the direwolf Lady once the animal’s role was over on the show.

Dawson’s Creek

3. Popularity Contest

Nearly 500 actors tried out for the role of Dawson. James Van Der Beek almost didn’t get the part either; who knows who would have been Dawson?

2. Things are not as they appear

The instantly recognizable Dawson’s Creek pier was actually destroyed in a hurricane halfway through the show’s taping. The show’s crew had to scramble to rebuild it and though it was a success, the pier seen later in the show is a replacement.
Speaking of things that are not as they appear, the character Andie played by actress Meredith Monroe was supposed to be 16 during the show. Monroe was 29 when Dawson’s Creek began.

1. Death by Chocolate

Remember when Dawson’s father died from an ice cream cone? That corny plot twist was the result of a contract negotiation gone awry. Disappointed with the direction the show was taking his character John Wesley Shipp would not budge on a money matter during negotiation. The result: the show’s writers took him out the only way they knew how.

Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/kimberleydadds/tv-shows-you-will-never-be-able-to-look-at-the-same-way#.faMGr1a7M

The Big Bang Theory is one of those shows that lasted longer than many originally thought it would. Its secret to its success is the same as every other long-running TV series or sitcom; an amazing cast chemistry. This article will look at some interesting fun facts about the show that you probably did not know. You know the lead character of Sheldon Cooper, who is played by Jim Parsons, being gay and with his boyfriend for over ten years; of course that is pretty much common knowledge now.

The other fun facts around the Big Bang Theory:

1 Have you ever wondered who did the voice of Howard Wallowitz’s mother? It is actually the same actress who plays his girlfriend, and later wife, on the show. Bernadette is played by Melissa Rauch. Melissa says the voice of her mother-in-law on the show was based on her real life mother’s voice.

2. The first time Leonard and Penny (played by Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco) told each other “I love you” only took one cut. The two actually dated in real life for a couple of years so it was almost as if they were not even acting since they appear to have genuine feelings for each other. Even Kaley was quoted as saying something to the effect that it was as if audience and cameras had vanished and it was just her and Johnny.

3. If you ever watch are watching a scene where you see the stars of Big Bang Theory playing musical instruments, just remember that they really are. Galecki plays the piano while Parsons plays the theremin and Mayim Bialik taught herself how to play the harp upon learning it was her character Amy’s instrument of choice. As for Penny, well she does not have to do much acting whenever you see her drinking on the set.

4. Have you heard the “Soft kitty” song that Sheldon always gets Penny to sing to him when he is sick? The song was actually inspired by the daughter of executive producer, Bill Prady, one day in her preschool class.

5. Sheldon Cooper has his hit catch phrase, “Bazinga”. This actually has its origins in the writer’s room when writer Stephen Engel and Parsons were playing practical jokes with a grapefruit and tape. Bazinga was what Engel blurted out in place of the word “gotcha”; and it became part of Sheldon’s line whenever they could work it in from there.

There you have the top 5 fun facts surrounding the hit sitcom Big Bang Theory which is currently getting ready to start its 9^th season and two more following after signing a three year contract in which the three lead characters receive a million per episode. How popular is this show? There are parents whose children ask them to sing “soft kitty” to them at night after the show goes off.

There was even one man in the audience who asked the stars for dating advice; to which Kaley Cuoco (Penny) just told him to knock on his neighbor’s door repeatedly because she will answer soon enough. This was all to the disapproval of lead character, Jim Parsons who commented back about how terrible that advice was.  What is next for the show? Bringing in Sheldon’s Meemaw and trying to figure out who would be a great actress for that part. Some fans of the show are voting for Betty White. Betty and Jim/Sheldon? Now that would be worth a watch!

References

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-at-paleyfest-428530

E Bishop Wooten

The Liberal Conservative Blog

http://ebishopwooten.com

The Hunger Games is now a popular book trilogy, and an even more popular movie franchise. The story of impressive teen Katniss Everdeen sacrificing herself to save her little sister and inspiring a revolution won millions of hearts in recent years; and yet, there are still people who refuse to read the books and watch the movies, mostly because of certain misconceptions they have about the entire concept. Well, no more. We’re a few month away from the release of Mockingjay: Part 2, so now is the perfect time to clear out these misconceptions and urge book and movie enthusiasts to give The Hunger Games a shot. Because believe me, it’s worth it.

For those of you unfamiliar with the premise, here’s a short synopsis. In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided into 12 districts, plus the Capitol. Two young representatives from each district, a boy and a girl, are selected each year to participate in The Hunger Games, a reality show broadcasted across the country. The aim? The participants are forced to kill off the competition until there’s only one of them left.

Katniss volunteers as tribute for District 12 after her little sister Prim is selected by lottery. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, need to stay alive in the games, where they compete against other teenagers, some of whom were training for the competition their entire lives. Katniss leaves her family and her best friend, Gale, behind, and embarks on a dangerous journey that will have unexpected consequences for the entire nation. The movies star Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, and Elizabeth Banks, among others.

No that you’re up to date on the plot, let’s see why some of you may be reluctant about picking up the books or checking out the movies. May it be because of these five common misconceptions?

It’s only for girls

Umm, no. Yes, there’s a strong female lead, but that doesn’t mean the books/movies can’t appeal to everyone. Sure, there are a couple of love stories involved, but sappy is the last thing The Hunger Games is.

The girl in question uses a bow and arrow to hunt both wild game and humans. Plus, the romance is just a side plot – it occurs as several teenagers fight until their deaths for the pleasure of the Capitol. We’re treated to kissing scenes, but we also witness some pretty depressing death scenes and some riveting fight scenes. There are mutant bees attacking the contestants, for the love of God. The trilogy is in no way all rainbows and unicorns.

And last but not least, I think we can all agree that Harry Potter proved once and for all that guys will see a young adult movie or read a young adult novel without it having to star Megan Fox or have her on the book cover. This type of gender stereotyping should once and for all be obsolete.

It’s only for teens

We politely disagree. Here’s the inside scoop: as the action progresses, The Hunger Games becomes a lot about war. About revolution. About people fighting for their freedom and their rights. And, most importantly, about the devastating effects this fight can have on a nation and on an individual. It’s a universal theme anyone can get behind, regardless of age.

Moreover, the books/movies echo a lot of awful real-world scenarios from the present. Violence, war, public executions, prisoner torture – these are all cruel realities some countries are still struggling with. It’s a disturbing story we can all learn something from.

It’s boring

Did I tell you that kids are being forced to kill other kids? That competitors not only have to survive the attacks of others, but also specific traps associated with each game environment? About the mutant dogs, the acid clouds, the evil monkeys? About the badass heroine who is far from perfect, but is doing everything she can to survive? That doesn’t sound boring at all, right? The pacing of the books/movies is slow at times, but some scenes are extremely suspenseful and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

It’s all about the love triangle

As a matter of fact, the love triangle isn’t even front and center. We all know it’s there, but the main focus is on Katniss, on her evolution, and on the rebellion. (As a side note, in the movies Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen beautifully. Her performance as a troubled teenager thrown into a fight she didn’t ask for is stunning.)

Unlike many other YA heroines, Miss Everdeen couldn’t care less about falling in love or catching a boy’s attention. She has more pressing problems, like making sure her family has what to eat, surviving a deadly reality show, and inspiring a nation to fight for justice. She’s tough and independent, yet vulnerable enough for the reader/viewer to relate to her character and her struggles. The romance is there, but it’s not in your face. It’s neither too cold nor too hot. It’s just right.

It’s too shallow

I have to admit that before reading the books I feel into this trap as well – I thought that The Hunger Games was a breezy read, a mix of romance and action perfect for a day spent of the beach. I wasn’t expecting it to have so much depth, as the trilogy is so much more than what it may initially look like.

It’s about not losing yourself, staying true to who you are and who you want to be. It’s about a dystopian future, but it’s frightening how that horrible future seems actually possible, and maybe even closer to our present than we’d like to admit. And, as I’ve stated before, it’s about rebellions, and wars, and corruption. It’s not just teen fiction, it’s science fiction. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’re missing out.

Convinced to give the trilogy a chance? You’ve got some time to catch up. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 hits theaters on November 20. Until then, may the odds be ever in your favor.

That’s where TV blogs come in. Thanks to some diligent and knowledgeable bloggers, it’s now less daunting to find a series that has a good chance of winning you over. Even so, it’s still hard to know who to trust on the Internet, and digging a show or not is mostly a matter of taste. For instance, despite my best efforts, I never managed to enjoy Mad Men, although 80 percent of the Internet keeps praising the period drama. That why it’s ideal to find a respectable TV blogger whose tastes are similar to yours – this way, you can eventually trust their reviews and have a better shot of enjoy they series they’re recommending.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick list of 15 of the best TV bloggers out there. Start by glancing over their articles and you will soon figure out which ones match are more your type.

1. What’s Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall’s blog over at HitFlix is a must-read for any TV enthusiast out there. He’s been in the biz for a long, long time, and his insights always bring something new to the table. He covers news and publishes reviews, but he also isn’t afraid to go deeper and analyze what makes a certain show so special. He’s always presenting readers with compelling arguments, and for that we will be forever thankful. His recent review of BoJack Horseman, for instance, is spot on.

2. Decider

If you’re into streaming your favorite shows, Decider is the site to bookmark. They cover both movies and TV shows, offer on point recommendations, and keep you updated on all the recent additions to major streaming sites. What more could you wish for?

3. The A.V. Club

If you’re a movie or TV fan, you’ve surely heard about The A.V. Club by now. There’s something there for everyone, and their TV section is particularly appealing. They recap plenty of shows and regularly update the site with news from the wonderful world of television.

4. By Ken Levine

Ken Levine is a an Emmy winning writer/director/producer turned major league baseball announcer, who now runs a successful blog where he offers his take on all aspects of television. From offering advice to aspiring writers to analyzing the current state of modern TV, he draws the reader in with ease and offers unique insights to anyone passionate about TV series.

5. TV Worth Watching

The name pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?  You won’t find any Jersey Shore or Honey Boo Boo here, but you will stumble upon some great recommendations and well-crafted reviews. Plus, the writers also suggest some classics you might want to check out that you haven’t yet seen, so that wins them serious bonus points.

6. Andy Greenwald

Andy blogs over at Grantland and makes it a habit to dazzle readers with his funny and astute reviews and opinion pieces. Take his recent article on Masters of Sex, for instance: he highlights everything that’s great about the show, but doesn’t shy away from pointing out this season’s problems. The creators of the series are playing it safe, and Andy manages to call them out in a witty, but firm manner, which makes for an awesome read.

7. Willa Paskin

Willa has a column over at Salon – a must-read due to her almost encyclopedic knowledge of current television. Take her piece on TV serial killers for example, where she analyzes why “serial murderers on the small screen are smarter, better-looking and more in control than ever before” – a compelling and fascinating read. She also offers recommendations or advises readers to stay away from certain shows, so bookmarking her column should definitely be on your to-do list.

8. Cultural Learnings

Cultural Learnings focuses on critical reviews and analysis of a wide range of television series. However, as the author, Myles McNutt, states, the goal is not to recap the events of the latest episode, but rather to place it within the context of the series, the season, its genre, and even the field of media and cultural studies. Friendly tip: once you start browsing the review archives, there’s a good possibility you won’t be able to stop.

9. Television Without Pity

You can spend hours on Television Without Pity and not get bored. The site has plenty of fun content: blogs, forums, news, recaplets… even photo galleries and surveys to make sure readers are entertained. Kinda makes the site a go-to destination for TV lovers.

1. The TV Addict

The blog started as a way for Daniel Malen to share his love of television with anyone willing to listen, only to grow into a fine destination for television news, interviews, and opinion pieces. It’s a safe place to geek out about your favorite shows, that’s for sure.

1. Boob Tube Dude

Ryan McGee’s blog is a great destination for on-point articles about everything TV – from reviews to general musings about the medium. He also has a podcast, Talking TV With Ryan And Ryan, which is definitely worth checking out.

2. Tom and Lorenzo

Tom and Lorenzo form a “fabulous and opinionated gay couple of a decade-plus”, proving that “the couple that blogs together, stays together.” They write about fashion and celebrities, but the television category on their blog is what caught our eye. Their recaps are extremely entertaining.

3. TVLine

TVLine is so much more than a blog – they have plenty of exclusives, sneak peeks, and interviews to keep us with the eyes glued to the screen. The Ask Ausiello section is particularly delicious. Enjoy!

4. InsideTV

Inside TV gives us plenty of TV goodness, including news, interviews, recaps, and exclusive photos/videos. If you want to stay on top of the biz, this is the site to subscribe to.

5. Daniel Fienberg

Daniel also blogs at HitFlix, where he covers industry events and keeps up updated on the latest news in the biz. He posts about ratings as well, so you can follow him to get a better idea about whether you favorite show has a shot of earning another season.

Start following the TV blogs listed above and you will always know what the next big hit show will be. At the end of the day, there are so many great series at there. All you need is enough time to check them all out.

The Newsroom had its fair share of haters during its three season run. People who said Sorkin hates women. That he doesn’t know how to write conflict. That it’s not cool how his characters talk mostly in monologues. That he’s insensitive. That he’s repetitive and self-righteous. That his show is pompous and condescending.

Viewers and critics alike loved to hate-watch the drama, and they continually attacked its creator for the many issues listed above. He eventually extended an olive branch. Too many monologues? Let’s make fun of that – and that was when Maggie Jordan, to justify the fact that she was giving a monologue about the overabundance of monologues, delivered the line “Everyone does where I work“. Sorkin hates women? Let’s talk a bit about the pay gap and gender equality in the workplace. He tried to accommodate the haters while staying true to his characters. But that’s too little, too late, as hate-watchers are probably thinking. I, however, disagree. About everything.

I’m not defending The Newsroom – simply because I don’t believe there’s anything to defend. I love-watched it the entire time. I fell for the characters (even Maggie), their struggles, and their banter. I enjoyed every scene where the protagonists switched from teasing each other to emotional territory in a heartbeat. I liked that it made me think about issues I had only a vague idea about and pushed me to learn more. And what’s truly amazing is that the show fueled hundreds of online discussions about the media, about important issues, about our behavior as consumers. It made us wonder how the media should truly function, how the news should ethically be covered, how much the content we obsess over affects what we are given.

The Newsroom had a perfect ensemble cast, brilliant acting, compelling writing, and engaging storylines. It was an inspiring show which I will miss intensely. But let’s talk about about the finale, shall we?

What Kind of Day Has It Been allowed The Newsroom to go out on a high note. The flashback-heavy finale gave fans a glimpse at what happened before the pilot – how Mac got to accept the job at News Night, how Charlie orchestrated the whole thing because he had a dream he wanted to see come true, how Will was lost under the pressure of getting the audience to tune in. The flashbacks were framed by Charlie’s funeral, which gave the entire episode a bittersweet feel, despite some truly laugh-out-funny bits (like the scene where Don and Sloan were blaming each other for Charlie’s demise, for example).

The episode opens with Mac finding out that she’s pregnant, in the middle of the funeral service. She shares the news with Will, who is overwhelmed by joy. Circle of life – that was a tad cliche, but ultimately nice touch. In flashbacks, we get to see how much of a jerk Will really was before he learned everybody’s names. Charlie, fed up with the joke News Night has become to attract viewers, goes after Mac in Washington, where she finds her at a bowling alley. She’s slightly drunk, mostly because she can’t find a new workplace where she can fit in, partly because she’s wearing sweatpants. He offers her the job at News Night. This discussion between the two journalists sharing their similar views on how a news show must look like was one of the highlights of the episode. We also learn via flashbacks that Charlie send Mac a copy of Don Quixote. Touching. Mac finally takes the job and convinces Jim to tag along.

Back in the present, the now pregnant EP of News Night is pulled by Leona into Pruit’s limo for the ride to the cemetery. We find out that Pruit has a big PR crisis – there have been articles on income disparity between men and women at one of his companies and the press also found out he hired hookers for his birthday party. Oops! Mac is confused by why she’s there, Leona offers to help Pruit boost his public image. Later on, she tells Pruit he needs to hire a news director who’ll fight with him to ensure that they will end up with a quality show. And who better to promote than a woman? Long story short: that’s how Mac steps into Charlie’s footsteps and becomes the new news director of ACN.

Elsewhere, Sloan and Don are definitely one of my favorite couples on TV. Their chemistry is amazing. And now we even got confirmation that Sloan was into Don from the very beginning. They met when the financial reporter drilled the EP about a financial news story that was handled poorly. They had a heated argument, that was eventually resolved a few days later, when Don admitted the story wasn’t right and told her he was replaced as EP from the 8 PM slot, moving to 10. She wanted to ask him out, but didn’t pursue him because he was with Maggie. Aw!

Speaking of, Maggie has the chance to interview for a job in DC, one that Jim recommended her for. Because she’s good, not because he doesn’t want her in his immediate vicinity. When Mac is promoted, she also promotes Jim to EP (her old job). His first order of business: make Maggie a senior producer, so she can stay at News Night. Maggie really wants the field producer job though, so they’re going to try long distance. And apparently it’s going to work, because Jim loves Maggie. And most likely Maggie loves Jim as well.

Other thoughts:

+ We got a musical moment in a garage. It was kind of corny, but I loved it. Now I’m not going to be able to listen to That’s How I Got to Memphis without thinking of The Newsroom.

+ Neal got back safely, and decided the whole website needs a reboot. Take that, Bree!

+ The moment when Charlie’s wife hands Don’s the tie – *tears*

+ Will speech was also pretty fitting. Charlie was great man indeed. It also highlights Will’s evolution from a self-absorbed prick to a a news man who cares about his team and the quality of his show.

+ Loved how the episode ended, with everyone getting ready for a new edition of News Night.

+ Sloan, I’ll miss you the most.

I want more. I want to see Mac yell at Pruit. I want to see Jim trying to do Mac’s job. I want to see Maggie making it in DC. Unfortunately, it’s a wrap. All that’s left to say is thank you, Sorkin, you magnificient bastard!

I can’t believe that the first episode of Bones aired almost 10 years ago. The show certainly grew in a wonderful way, the characters evolved, the dynamics changed; but Bones somehow managed to preserve its charm and novelty as years went by.

The 200th episode aired on Thursday, and it was everything fans could ever wish for: familiar faces coming back for the reunion, a unique setting, and a captivating story that shows Bones knows how to really have fun when it’s not busy crushing us with all that drama. Set in the ‘50s, The 200th in the 10th really captured the spirit of the decade, at the same time allowing the characters to stay true to who they are, for the most part (‘50s Cam was really different from today’s Cam, don’t you agree?).

In honor of the shows special anniversary, we came up with ten reasons why Bones remains one of the greatest shows on television.

Temperance

Temperance Brennan isn’t perfect, not by a long shot. She’s cold, abrasive, and annoyingly logical. Which only makes us love her more. Bones is a unique combination of intelligence and social awkwardness; she has a compelling back story and her own view of the world which she isn’t shy to share, even when the circumstances get uncomfortable. She’s fierce, but also vulnerable. She’s tough, but also sensitive. As years went by, she learns how to become more open, consider other points of view, and allow herself to have a happy ending. Seeing her evolve has been a highly enjoyable experience. More, please!

Bones and Booth

The relationship between these two has always been magical. Everyone could see that they have chemistry from the very beginning; however, the showrunners were set on testing our patience. When they finally got together, it was everything we ever wanted and more. Their love is an inspiration – they’re different in so many aspects, but they found a way to make those differences work. What’s even more awesome is that we had the chance to see their relationship deepen over time. They went from coworkers to partners and really close friends before they both admitted they’re crazy about each other. So sweet!

The squinterns

The squinterns’ rotation is one of the things that keeps the show fresh. Each episode, another intern assists Brennan on the case; and they all bring their unique stories and problems into the mix. From Daisy, who just had a baby, to Wendell, who’s dealing with a life-threatening illness, to Jessica, who craves a certain dose “creativity” in science, contrasting with Brennan’s refusal to speculate. They’re a fun bunch, all intriguing in their own way. We can’t decide who our favorite is.

Aubrey

We loved Sweets, and his death was one of the most traumatic scenes we had to endure this year on television. When Aubrey showed up, he initially felt as a poor replacement, we’ll give you that. However, as we got to know more about him, he slowly made his way to our hearts. He’s goofy, incredibly intelligent, with solid case-solving abilities and a slight eccentricity which helps him fit right in. Welcome to the family! You’ll love it here.

It’s funny!

The show always manages to tickle our funny bone. Funky experiments, witty one-liners, clumsy social encounters – the show really knows how to keep a fine balance between drama and fun. Which brings us to…

The emotional rollercoaster

Ah, the feels! We rooted for Bones and Booth for years, we were ecstatic when Angela and Hodgins got together, we welcomed babies on the show, mourned people we cared about, we witnessed emotional stories unraveling and we were shocked by crazy plot twists. It was a great ride.

The science

There are plenty of things that Bones thought us as years went by. So much that we actually became fluent in squint talk. Sure, if you’re a fan you can easily pick up the names of bones, muscles, and fracture patterns. However, the show also does a good job at including useful bits of trivia you never knew you would find interesting. For instance, did you know that the person with the highest recorded IQ is Marilyn Vos Savant? Only one of the many things we learned from Temperance. Also, Donna Cline, the forensic technical adviser for the series, always makes sure that the cases are as scientifically accurate as possible. So does Kathy Reichs, the forensic anthropologist whose life inspired the show. She’s an executive producer.

The gruesome corpses

The show has some of the most gruesome corpses on television. If you don’t have a strong stomach, we strongly advise you not to consume food while watching it. The gore plays well with the lighter tone of the series though, so we’re not complaining. It’s actually interesting to see how creative the creators of the show can get when it comes to murdering fictional folk.

The experiments

Hodgins is king of the lab for a reason: his experiments are either deeply amusing or extremely interesting. In short, extremely fun to watch. The Angelatron is also a thing of beauty.

It’s not afraid to tackle big issues

Bones was never afraid to tackle serious issues: rape, abuse, the foster system, child soldiers, forgotten veterans – to only name a few. It does so with grace and compassion, managing to raise awareness about these severe matters in the process.

All in all, Bones is a great show, with brilliant casting, fascinating story lines, and plenty of banter which keeps viewers coming  back for more.

What’s your favorite thing about the show? Sound off in the comments!

I really missed the days when my TVD viewing hours were spent screaming in front of the screen because of my unhealthy investment in the show’s storylines. Luckily, they’re back. “Christmas Through Your Eyes” was an excellent winter finale: bittersweet, intense, slightly traumatizing; exactly what you crave when you watch a teen drama involving love triangles and supernatural beings. I’ll consider it an early Christmas present from Julie Plec… and now I feel bad I haven’t bought her anything.

Since the subject of early Christmas presents came up, Kai procured one for himself – a face-to-face with his twin sister. After grabbing Jo from the hospital, “sociopathic Ryan Reynolds” convinces Liv, Luke and Tyler to retrieve the knife containing her magic from Damon’s super-secret hiding place. He tries to force the magic back into Jo, but apparently it doesn’t work that way. Since Jo gave up her magic by choice, she needs to decide to take it back. Nothing a little game of “let’s kill Liv in a brutal way” can’t fix. All in all, Jo got her groove back, and she’s ready to fight off her brother as she was always supposed to.

Damon and Alaric arrive to the rescue and even manage to restrain Kai for a little while, but this season’s villain isn’t one to let a pair of feeble chains stand between him and his burning desire to… bring on the Apocalypse? Rebrand pagers so they become cool again? Steal Blake Lively from sane Ryan Reynolds? I’m not exactly sure what him ruling the Gemini would look like, but let’s say it comes with serious perks. Consequently, he figures out a clever way to suck up all the magic from the Travelers’ spell that made Mystic Falls a no-magic zone. And he doesn’t stop there. Later on, he puts a cloaking spell on Elena, who doesn’t get to tell Damon how awesome she thinks he is yet again. Why, you ask? Isn’t he a Delena shipper? I guess we’ll have to wait until January to find out.

Elsewhere:

+ It’s been clear from the very beginning that The Vampire Diaries is a show who hates parental figures, so I was beyond happy with the wonderful relationship we got to witness between Caroline and Sheriff Forbes during the last months. The sheriff even came to Whitmore to bring Christmas to Caroline, since she was unable to enter Mystic Falls. Aww.

And then it all went down the drain when the sheriff was rushed to the hospital and it was revealed she has a glioblastoma that has now spread to her brain stem. It was devastating. Surgery is out of the question and vampire blood can’t cure cancer (which makes sense actually, since vampire blood heals wounds by regenerating cells; it would only cause the cancer to grow), so now Caroline has to deal with the fact that her great mother is dying. From natural causes nonetheless. And she can do anything about it. My heart aches. I think that Sheriff Forbes acted like a parental figure for everybody on the show during the last years, so seeing her go won’t be easy for anyone.

Caroline is crushed by the news, which is to be expected, but Stefan’s there this time to offer some much-needed comfort. He truly acted like a friend, which kinda makes me want to forgive him for some of the crap he pulled during the first episodes of the season. He’s not completely redeemed, but he’s getting there.

+ Bonnie’s storyline was heartbreaking as well. Still stuck in 1994 by herself and missing the hell out of her friends, she tries to recreate some of the cheerful memories she shared with them many years ago. She even manages to find a Christmas tree and decorates it before setting it on fire. The scene where she and Jeremy both look at the Christmas tree 18 years apart and pine after each other was sad and wonderful and perfect. I can’t wait for Bonnie to come back to the present.

+ The award for the most ridiculous storyline of the episode goes to Matt and Enzo. After capturing Enzo with the help of Jeremy, Matt decides that instead of killing him instantaneously, as it would be logical under the circumstances, he wants to make Enzo suffer. So he throws the vampire in the back of a van and drives him through Mystic Falls just by the time Kai finishes up absorbing all the magic from the Travelers’ spell. Bad timing for Matt, Christmas miracle for Enzo. Who then, instead of killing Matt for revenge, as a sane vampire would probably do, decides to let him live. And proceeds to confess how jealous he is of Stefan because he has everything. Dude, you’re a good-looking, badass vampire with a cute accent. Go get your own girls. Make your own friends. Rule your own planet. Apparently mighty vamps can have self-esteem issues as well. Who would have guessed?

Other thoughts:

# I liked the fact that Liv actually believes Jo can defeat Kai. Why did everyone assume otherwise? Feminists, unite!

# Damon was highly entertaining this episode. “That’s it? We’re gonna kill bad guys together and you’re not even going to talk to me?” (referring to Jeremy and Matt) “Beavis and Butthead are on the lookout.” “Can I ask why we continuously compromise logic for some girl you just met?” Awesome.

# Kai continues to be a sociopath, but he’s an extremely charming sociopath. I still don’t want him to go anywhere yet.

# The flashbacks were very, very cute.

# Also loved the scene where the Salvatore brothers return to their home.

# I think my biggest dream for 2015 is to hear Jeremy say “Bring back my Bonnie to me.”

Overall, a compelling episode that made for a pretty cool winter finale. The Vampire Diaries returns on January 22.

Maybe it’s because when I was little I wanted to become a less whiny version of Mackenzie when I grew up. I thought I’d change the world; but, you know how it happens, the world changed me instead. And she’s still resisting, in a field where journalists are paid per page view. The ACN news team’s idealism, wits, and courage are inspiring – even though they promote a romanticized image of journalism that undergo a plethora of changes since digital took control of the world.

Or maybe I simply enjoy the writing – uneasy, provocative, profound. The show had issues during its three year run, true. I cringe when I think about Maggie’s PTSD arc back in season two and I didn’t enjoy the campus-rape subplot that happened on Sunday’s installment. Overall though, The Newsroom is a thought-provoking series, with an amazing cast, which delighted the audience with several fascinating stories. And it’s going into my re-watch forever pile of the most awesome shows to ever air on television.

But let’s recap episode five of season three, shall we?

We see Will check into prison, and then immediately skip to day 52 of his incarceration. He shares the cell with a domestic abuser, one that isn’t afraid to call Will on his pompousness and seems to have some inside scoop on the ACN’s anchor. The confrontations between the two are tense; while Will tries to remain calm, he eventually caves – “Raise your hands above your hips, and I’ll knock you the f*ck into next week.” His cellmate is persistent though, and keeps asking McAvoy all sorts of personal questions, from inquiring about the photo of him and his dad to asking about his mission to civilize.

When the source kills herself in front of the Department of Justice, Barry Lasenthal gives Will a chance to admit that she was the leaker and earn back his freedom. He doesn’t comply with this demand though, so back in his cell he goes, to have a few more heated discussions with his cellmate. Eventually, Rebecca submits a motion to release Will. Lasenthal joins in. After all, spending time in jail was meant to be coercive, not punitive; and it was clear by now that McAvoy wasn’t going to give up the name. When he proceeds to gather his belongings and vacate the premises, it’s revealed that there wasn’t actually anyone else sharing the cell with Will. Instead, the cellmate was his drunk, abusive, and dead father. I didn’t see this coming, I’ll give you that.

In other news, Maggie and Jim finally got their inevitable happy ending. While tracking NSA hacker Edward Snowden in Moscow, Jim confesses his feelings. Maggie takes a few minutes (or hours, we’re not really sure) to process the information and responds by awkwardly kissing her longtime crush. Honestly speaking, if this would have happened back in season one, I would have cheered. Now I’m not that into them anymore. But it was a long time coming, so it’s nice they’re finally on the same page.

Meanwhile, Pruit has taken control of the network and makes various changes that don’t sit well with the staff. His ambition to appeal to Millennials leads to hashtagged ads, dubious show guests, and the deeply disturbing ACNgage app. Charlie Skinner is caught right in the middle – he does his best to allow Mackenzie to cover actual stories while indulging Pruit his fluff pieces. The problem? Pruit’s tactics actually helped the ratings go up, so it’s likely that the network’s new agenda won’t suffer any makeovers anytime soon. Skinner looks angry and exhausted at the same time, which should have been a sign that something will go terribly wrong, terribly soon.

Because of the network’s need to air sensational and promotable stories, Don is forced to produce a story which entails putting a rape victim in the same studio with her attacker. He travels to Princeton to meet the student, Mary – and convince her not to go on the air. See, Mary started a website that allows other victims to post the names of their attackers. Don believes that this website could someday be used by someone to accuse an innocent man of rape (and cost him his career in the process) just for revenge. I deeply love Don as a character; but even though his intentions might have been noble here, he only came off as offensive and insensitive. Even so, Mary agrees to come on the show and face her attacker. But later, when Charlie asks Don if he managed to track the student down, he says no.

Elsewhere, Sloan decides to rebel against authority and show the audience just how atrocious the ACNgage app is. She invites the guy in charge of the app on the show to praise it, but instead trashes the guy, the app, and everything it represents. She was on fire. It’s a wonderful segment, one I’m going to enjoy for many replays to come. Pruit didn’t share my opinion though, and wanted to fire Sloan and Mac on the spot. Charlie wasn’t happy either – he entered the newsroom screaming in his characteristic way, but noted that only he had the power to fire employees. He then invited Pruit for a chat, saying that he’ll be back in a minute. And then it happened.

Charlie abruptly falls to the ground, hitting his head in the process. “Oh Shenandoah” starts playing; and we know that’s that. An ambulance rushes Charlie to the hospital, while Will is getting ready to regain his freedom. He’s greeted by Mac, whose pain is almost palpable. “Charlie had a heart attack a few hours ago. He died.”

Skinner was one of the most charismatic characters on the show. I’m truly going to miss him.

The last episode of the series airs next Sunday. Judging by the promo, I don’t believe I’m emotionally stable enough to deal with everything that’s going to happen.

How do you think the show is going to end? With an emotional eulogy given by Will? With everybody quitting and going their own ways? Give us a shout in the comments!