My top 5 shows of this week – August 29, 2014

Well this week I watched a variety of shows – some old, some ending, some new. Two that don't make my top 5 are True Blood and Legends. One I liked, but not enough, the other was a pathetic end to what was a good show a few seasons ago. I really am disappointed with what became of True Blood. The show just went bad. I think it was last season, but it could have been earlier, but I was just watching the show because I had invested so much time during the good season. I hoped it would get better, but it was not to be.

Legends is starting to look good, but this episode felt like it could tip over into a procedural. I hope it stays more like 24 and maintain its action focus, but it did not impress me enough to make my top 5 this week.

Number 5 – Manahttan

Season 1 Episodes 3 & 4 – The a Hive & Last Reasoning of Kings.

I watched 2 episodes this week to try to catch up, and they were both good. I felt really sad about the bees – the military should have let them be, but I like the devious way that Liza is going to get her paper published. And then we find out Frank is sleeping with the maid in the next episode. Sometimes the story seems like it is all about Liza, but then Frank goes off on someone. His protection of his team is like a mother bear and I think it is gonna get him in trouble sooner or later. I'm glad he protected Babbit since I like his character. Once again, we are dealing with serious issues, but I don't think the issue is about homosexuality, but of lying under oath to pass a security check. While the story is compelling because of the relationship between Frank and Babbit and Babbit and the defected scientist, I really hope the show has more episodes like The Hive because it was not about how the military is wrongly suspicious of potential spying. The largest gathering of scientists ever, dedicated to secret research – there is gonna be spying.

Number 4 – The Bridge

Season 2, Episode 7 – Lamina.

Things are starting to come together in this season's storyline. Sonya finally has some answers about her sister's killer and why Jack has stuck around. I figured he knew more than was letting on, but I thought he was more involved. I think that we are finally closing the book on this aspect of Sonya's backstory, but I am concerned about her and Hank's alienation. On the other side of the border, I am worried that Fausto Galvan may be experiencing some troubles he might be able to not resolve. I hope he comes through alright because I am starting to like his no nonsense character. And then there is Daniel Frye. I didn't like this guy much last season, but he has grown on me in season 2. His and Adriana's storyline has grown increasingly interesting as they are at the center of investigations of Fausto's housing project and the attempted killing of Lucy – I always figure if someone has knitting needles around, they are gonna find their way into somebody's soft parts. In any case, I think this season is turning out at least as good as the first so far.

Number 3 – Dr. Who

Season 7, Episode 14 – The Name of the Doctor.

This is actually an episode from the last season of Dr. Who, but I didn't get a chance to watch it until this week. This is the start of the transition we knew was coming when Matt Smith regenerates into Peter Capaldi. Here, Dr. Simeon, aka the Great Intelligence, captures a bunch of the Doctor's friends to force him to go to Trenzalore. This is the eventual resting place of the Doctor. The cool thing here is that we get to the Doctor's timeline, and with that, we get to see all the previous incarnations of the Doctor. It was a really neat way to incorporate them all into an episode during the anniversary. We also learn Clara's significance in the Doctor's life. Really good stuff.

Number 2 – The Leftovers

Season 1, Episode 9 – The Garveys at Their Best.

Was this an episode of Lost or what? I got the strong sense that this was written and directed by someone directly related to Lost, but Daniel Sackheim didn't direct that show – he's only been involved with The Americans and The Waling Dead both of which I like. The episode goes back in time before the event and shows how everyone was living their lives. Kevin's infidelity is shown, Laurie's pregnancy is confirmed, and Norw is trying to make life work. Then everyone disappears – Kevin's mistress in the middle of you know what, Nora's family in the middle of a bad morning, and Laurie's baby while on the ultrasound. Pretty impactful episode. Kinda makes you see how these people could be screwed up 3 years later. It was a good episode in a great series.

Number 1 – The Last Ship

Season 1, Episode 11 – No Place Like Home.

I think this was a good season finale for a good freshman year show. I think the set up for next season looks good, and they resolved the first season well. It certainly looks like there is no one to trust on the mainland, but we'll see next year. I am a bit taken back by the implication that the government is actually killing people. On a show that has been so pro-Navy, I am surprised they are moving in that direction. In any case, I look forward to a new and possibly longer season next year.

#TV #LastShip #Leftovers #TrueBlood #Legends #DrWho #Manhattan #TheBridge