In Plain Sight (1.4 & 1.5)

Sundays June 22nd & 29th, 2008 @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight - Season 1, Episodes 4-5 - "Trojan Horst" & "Who Shot Jay Arnstein?"

Episode #4: Mary and Marshall are caught in the cross-fire of a contract killer while transporting a witness.

Episode #5: Mary works to solve the mystery of who tried to kill her witness, an art dealer. To complicate matters, both his mistress and his wife are in the program…and key suspects. (USANetwork.com)

Marmot: So we got a little behind in our summer viewing habits. It's all the days spent splashing around at the beach. Marmots and manatees love that stuff. Seriously, look it up. But we have 2 big reviews of In Plain Sight, and that's pretty exciting. They were two very different episodes, too. In one, Mary hunkers down, a la Outlaw Josey Wales and takes on a bunch of baddies who are working for a contract killer. Played by Dave Foley. Yes, that Dave Foley.

Manatee: Boy, did he gain some weight. But seriously, I thought that episode (Trojan Horst) really raised the stakes. Mary kicked some butt! The action was a nice distraction for the usual Shannon Family melodrama.

Marmot: I was kinda disappointed that there wasn't a big shootout at the end. But oh well. This show had a fundamental example of bad villany. Dave Foley's character was supposedly working for a woman named Lola, after a song about a man pretending to be a woman. Pretty much anyone could have figured this out. I think it's referred to as the Riddler Syndrome - The Riddler would always come up with semi-elaborate riddles to clue Batman in on his nefarious crimes, when it would have been a lot easier to just keep his mouth shut. Idiot.

Manatee: It always comes back to Batman!

Marmot: Batman is the key to everything.

Manatee: I wish that action had carried over to last night's episode. It went back to Mary's dramatic home life and boyfriend complications.

Marmot: Is she supposed to be a detective? It seems like the show has been increasingly headed in that direction.

Manatee: I don't think so. She's just supposed to take care of Witsec people, but her "clients" somehow get themselves involved in crimes in New Mexico constantly. And she needs to bail them out. She always seems to find the good in these people when 9 times out of 10 they are criminals, hence being in Witness Protection.

Marmot: Yeah, why are most of her people criminals. Don't non-criminals witness crimes? Wasn't there an episode of The Simpsons where they went into Witsec to hide from Sideshow Bob?

Manatee: She did protect that little 8 year old boy who saw his dad kill his mom... but then it turned out the kid really killed his mom. Hmmm, I thought normal people got to be protected. Maybe USA is trying to make a political statement: the government only protects and makes deals with the bad guys?

Marmot: It took me a second to realize you meant the USA network and not the USA country. Personally, I would appreciate some variety in the protectee of the week.

Manatee: I would agree with that. I would also appreciate stronger teasers. I’m sick of the how or why a person gets into Witsec and then it shows them chatting with Mary about entering the program. Then it skips about 6 months ahead to when they are established in Witsec and all hell breaks loose.

Marmot: Yeah, those are tiresome.

Manatee: Shouldn't they be more exciting to hook us into the show, not drive us away?

Marmot: You would think. But then the rest of the show isn't working towards that goal, either.

Swingtown (1.4)

Thursday June 26th @ 10 PM

CBS

Swingtown - Season 1, Episode #4 - "Cabin Fever"

It's becoming just a soap opera in bell bottoms.

The Middleman (1.2)

Monday, June 23rd, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC Family

The Middleman - Season 1, Episode # 2- "The Accidental Occidental Conception"

A Terra Cotta Warrior is brought back to life, sending The Middleman and Wendy on a mission into the underworld to stop him before he can kidnap the last living heir of the Qin dynasty. Should they fail, fire will rain down on the Earth for a thousand years. (IMDB.com)

Manatee: Middleman – not great, but not the worst show I’ve seen. I’d rather watch this than Fear Itself

Marmot: I don't know what to make of it. This episode was much more focused than the pilot and way more coherent and it retained some of its charm, but for some reason, I liked it a lot less.

Manatee: I feel like Middleman has a little of that original Batman series feel. A little wacky, not taking itself too seriously, and it's fun. But even after episode #2 I want it to be better than it is.

Marmot: Which is so odd, because it's much improved over the episode. Yet I feel like it lost something. Like the crazy cutaway scenes. Where were those?

Manatee: They did lose a little silliness this week. I thought the two main characters still had good dialogue and a quick back and forth’s. But maybe it did lose some of its uniqueness, production wise.

Marmot: I do like the banter, but I feel like I can get that anywhere. If this is going to turn into Juno meets Men In Black, boredom will be imminent.

Manatee: I think ABC Family has lost interest. I'm positive it will not be renewed (the numbers were horrible for the pilot episode). All we have to look forward to on ABC Family is Brenda Hampton's (7th Heaven) The Secret Life on the American Teenager starting July 1st at 8 PM. And that is described as Juno for TV, not Juno meets anything.

Marmot: What is so secret about the life of an American teenager? I think there have been plenty of shows and movies exposing this seedy underworld.

Manatee: I don't think ABC Family does seedy or underworld. My bet is "secret" refers to the pregnancy, which could be an interesting plot for young female teens to watch. I usually don't condone teen pregnancy talk on TV, especially TV geared towards kids (i.e.: Nick and that Younger Spears girl), but we'll see how this is done.

Marmot: Oh, she's pregnant? Well, then that is something to keep secret. Actually, the one thing I really like about The Middleman is the fact that nothing is evil or dark. It's just silly, and I'm okay with that.

Manatee: Yeah, I like that too. Though why was it necessary to wear togas to go to the underworld last night? Don't they allow suits? The show seems to be geared more toward keeping it light.

Marmot: I didn't get that either. Considering the desk attendant was wearing a sweater-vest, you'd think that a military suit would be acceptable attire

Manatee: And the clay man stuck with his ancient Asian garb? Hmmm.... that costume change did jump out at me a little. Do you think Ms. Fashionista Succubus will become a recurring character as the international consultant?

Marmot: I hope not. I had my fill of her from that episode. Ship her to Ugly Betty to make her a foil to the pregnant Scottish wardrobess.

Manatee: That could work. Do I smell cross-over?

Marmot: It's all ABC. How hard could this be to do?

Fear Itself (1.3)

Thursday, June 19th, 2008 @ 10 PM

NBC

Fear Itself, Season 1 - Episode #3 - "Family Man"

NBC

A likeable family man switches bodies with a serial killer during a near-death experience. Now he must keep his loved ones from being added to the long list of the killer's victims. (NBC.com)

Cast: Colin Ferguson, Clifton Collins Jr., Josie Davis, Gig Morton, Nicole Leduc

Marmot: This week’s Fear Itself was the best of them so far, but still kinda dumb. I was disappointed.

Manatee: I hated it. I thought it was called "Face Off" the first time I saw it. And the twist at the end was so obvious. I'm thinking of canceling the DVR recording.

Marmot: The ending was totally obvious. I might keep watching, but I won't be in a big hurry.

Manatee: I think it stinks. I just can't get over how unoriginal the stories are.

Marmot: Nor frightening. This is the same stuff that was on “Tales From the Crypt” 20 years ago, and “The Twilight Zone” 20 years before that.

Manatee: I was thinking that same thing!

Marmot: This episode could have made for a really interesting character study - about what makes a person do the things they do, and what can bring about change in them. Instead, everything reverted to how it was at the beginning of the episode and no one was redeemed, with the good guy actually being punished - for what? It completely falls flat as a morality tale, if that was the intent.

Manatee: If it was a morality tale, they need a new morality barometer in their writers' office. There were no stakes. The main character (Colin Ferguson) was just a good guy and he got thrown for a loop being switched into a killer's body, which I did find interesting. If you try to picture yourself in that position, it’s a pretty scary place to be. But you're right, what did this guy do that he was punished for? He seemed to be so great and likeable.

Marmot: He did nothing. It just completely missed the point of horror. The true intent of horror is to act as a cautionary tale against immoral behavior. That's why Jason Voorhies always kills the sexy teens who are about to do it first, and the nerds who try to protect their friends last. But there's nothing really horrifying about some magical "spiritual transgression" because he did nothing to deserve it. It was just completely random.

Manatee: Maybe someone should mention that to the writers on the show.

The Middleman (1.1)

Monday, June 16th, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC Family

The Middleman - Season 1, Pilot - "The Pilot episode Sanction"

Wendy Watson is a struggling artist who's resigned herself resigned herself to a life of redundant temp jobs - until a freak accident involving an angry genetic experiment introduces her to the world's most absurdly covert operative: the Middleman. (ABCFamily.com)

Manatee: I was very excited about a graphic novel turned TV series, though I had my hesitations since it was airing on ABC Family at 8 pm.

Marmot: I've never watched anything on ABC Family, so I didn't really know what to expect.

Manatee: Well, it has the word "family" in it so I figured it would be pretty tame.

Marmot: What did you think of this show? Did you like it? Did you think it was good?

Manatee: I like the concept behind it. I like the actors ok (at least they aren't some feature actors stinking up the small screen). I know it's a pretty low budget show, so I'll try not to be too harsh. But the visual effects in the pilot were terrible. I say if you don't have the money to do it right, then don't do it. Find a more creative solution. It came across as silly and immature (ie: for kids). Let's put it this way: I will watch it again next week to see if there are changes. The pilot shot in Vancouver and the series shoots here in Los Angeles. So there might be changes for the better (or worse). Right now I want it to be better than it is.

Marmot: I don't know how I felt about it. I agree, the effects were awful, but that didn't bother me so much. The thing is, the show's not good and it's not terrible, but it's also not mediocre, because that implies something more run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-road, and this is definitely not that. It's an interesting show, and I agree, I want it to be better than it is. Both leads are very likeable, and I kind of dig the screwball-esque dialogue. I think my biggest problem with the show is that there's a lot of elements that don't all quite fit together. But for some reason, I don't mind.

Manatee: I was going to ask you if that dialogue reminded you of anything? Say a certain Academy Award winning movie?

Marmot: Schindler's List? Definitely You know, I hadn't made the Juno connection until you brought it up. Now I feel dirty.

Manatee: When there were lines like "Do me a solid" and "lickity split" Juno was the first thing that popped into my mind. Jumping on wacky dialogue bandwagon.

Marmot: I didn't like the banter between the guitar guy and the girl. What was her name? Dubby?

Manatee: I wasn't a fan of that chitchat either. I'm not even sure I understood what they were saying to one another

Marmot: She was naming songs with "Hungry" in the title at one point, that's all I remember. But then the titles - like her "illegal sublet that she shares with another photogenic artist" - I thought were brilliant.

Manatee: Really! At first I wasn't sure, but I guess it goes with the graphic novel thing

Marmot: And the fantasy, Hard Day's Night-esque sequence where she put the uniform on I thought was hilarious and so unique to a television show. I like that the show knows it’s a show, but the characters don't. It's interesting.

Manatee: And the idea of a Middleman is really funny. I don't think it takes itself too seriously. I thought it also had some fun and funky music.

Marmot: It's definitely worth another viewing. I'm interested to see what's going to happen in a few episodes down the line.

Fear Itself (1.2)

Thursday, June 12th, 2008 @ 10 PM

NBC

Fear Itself, Season 1 - Episode #2 - "Spooked"

"Why are you so bad, Fear Itself? Why are you so bad?"

While on a stakeout in a haunted house, a private eye is revisited by restless spirits of those he wronged in the past and now those spirits are set on deadly revenge. (NBC.com)

Stars: Eric Roberts, Jack Noseworthy, Cynthia Watros, Larry Gilliard Jr.

Marmot: Let me see if I understand the plot of this episode: Eric Roberts is a PI. Libby from LOST hires him to spy on her non-existent husband so that an evil house can make him feel guilty for killing her brother? And somewhere along the line, he remembers accidently shooting his brother and him and his father burying the corpse?

Manatee: Basically, yes. That sounds "right." Though I'm not sure I get why/how Libby knew about that house and why/how she thought it would make Eric Roberts go crazy.

Marmot: Maybe she saw it on Craigslist? What I don't get is, what was the deal with the Satan worshippers? Was she a Satan worshipper too?

Manatee: Hmmm... maybe. Did she go to the house with her brother and worship and graffiti self portraits on the walls? Did she put a spell or curse on the house? It wasn't really haunted. It was just Eric Roberts going crazy or being delusional/drunk and remembering his own ghosts. How would she know that would happen?

Marmot: I also don't understand why the dad didn't just tell the truth about the son being shot. Seems like it would be a lot easier to explain "my boys found my gun and were playing with it and it was an accident" than "my child mysteriously disappeared and no, I'm not really all that worried about it"

Manatee: It does seem like that would be the logical choice. Not much about this show makes sense, even though it is so unoriginal and full of clichés: They meet at a diner, he's a PI with a drinking problem, the radio in the haunted house turns on by itself (so Tales from the Crypt-esque) - what's the point of this anthology? Horror is such a great genre to be original in because it's based in fantasy. What's wrong with these writers?

Marmot: Lazy? Next week's episode promised to be mind-blowing. The TV said so, and I'm inclined to believe it, because it's TV and it never lies.

Manatee: I'll give it one more chance, if it still stinks, I'm canceling my DVR recording.

Marmot: Yep. It's taking up valuable space where Under One Roof could go.

Under One Roof (1.10)

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 @ 8 PM
My Network TV

Under One Roof - Season 1, Episode 10 - "Handiman"

On this week's new episode of Under One Roof, Calvester finds he has to maintain full time employment or go back to jail. But when he fakes a disability to get a job at a lingerie store, Cali Cal's got to work overtime to keep up the charade. (MyNetworkTV.com)

Marmot: Under One Roof? I don't think there's a lot to say there.

Manatee: There really isn't, is there.

Marmot: Nothing we haven’t said before.

Manatee: My only comment was, why were there so many ex-cons trying to get a job at a mall lingerie store at the exact same moment? Oh and why was the brother taking photos of girls' butts and getting away with it?

Marmot: Every time I've been in a Victoria's Secret, there's always been male ex-cons working there. It's just a fact of life. And the customers always walk around the store, modeling for everyone. Oh, and there's always a creepy guy taking pictures. It's just a mirror of reality, this show. Do you think Under One Roof got some kind of package deal when they bought the sets from Saved By the Bell? Like buy a set, get 2 scripts free? Because I'm pretty sure the plot of this episode was also used on that show.

Manatee: I was thinking they bought this set from The Facts of Life (later years) and changed Mrs. Garrett's shop into a lingerie store. Though I don't doubt that Zack pulled a handicapped stunt like this, maybe more than once.

Marmot: I want to set their ugly house on fire. What was the deal with Su Ho this week? They thought she was stealing, but she was actually just cleaning the jewelry as a birthday gift? What?

Manatee: I know.. That story line made less sense then Cali Cal in a wheelchair. Something that annoyed me last night too was the daughter. She is so over the top dumb, it's starting to get on my nerves

Marmot: It's just now starting? You have a very high pain threshold.

Manatee: I guess I do. I want to jump through the TV and knock her out.

Marmot: One thing that I was shocked at: the mom calling her kids "mulattos". Is that an acceptable term? I thought that was banned or something.

Manatee: I think it's the second time on this show they have used that term. And no, I don't think it is an acceptable term.

Marmot: Who's writing this show? My friend Steve's racist grandpa?

Swingtown (1.2)

Thursday, June 12th, 2008 @ 10 PM

CBS

Swingtown, Season 1 - Episode #2 - "Love Will Find a Way"

Susan, Tom, and Trina make a surprise visit to the Chicago Playboy Club, where Bruce is celebrating with co-workers after his monumental day on the trading floor. The two couples continue to explore their newfound friendship. In the old neighborhood, where the Millers used to live, Janet realizes how important her friendship with Susan is when a new couple moves in next door. (CBS.com)

Marmot: I liked Swingtown. It's not the best thing on TV, but for a summer show, it's pretty high quality.

Manatee: I really enjoy the show. I find myself very interested in the characters and where they are headed. I even caught myself smiling and laughing during the show!

Marmot: I am too, but I think the show lost some of the edge from the first episode. There was some heavy stuff in the pilot and it felt a little light in this one.

Manatee: That's true. There were not as many (or any) drugs and sex. But I liked that. I didn't really come into this show thinking here is a show all about sex, some sort of network soft core porn. It's almost like a Desperate Housewives set in the 70s - so you get the bonus of free love.

Marmot: I mean edge not just about sex, but in terms of the storylines. In the first episode, there are touches of a gay crush between the two sons and then the strait-laced couple's kid gets the crap beat out of him by a girl. In this episode, they dragged camping gear through the woods. The rest of the episode focused mainly on the deteriorating friendship between Susan (Molly Parker) and Janet (Mirian Shor), but it was more about jealousy over Susan's new friendship with Trina than a clash of values.

Manatee: Very valid points. I'm not sure I picked up on the adolescent gay crush thing the first time, but I don't doubt that as a possibility. It did seem to lose a little edge this episode. The teacher/daughter potential relationship was also squashed by the emergence of a girlfriend (or was it?). We'll have to see where it goes. Will it continue with some edge or will it lapse into straight soap opera (ie: friend jealousy vs. moral values)?

In Plain Sight (1.3)

Sunday, June 15th, 2008 @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight - Season 1, Epiosde 3 - "Never the Bride"

In "Never the Bride," Mary acted as maid of honor to protect her witness, Treena the diamond smuggler, at her high-profile wedding. (USAnetwork.com)

Marmot: I hated this episode. Just really bad.

Manatee: Not that episode # 2 was stellar, but what a sharp turn for the worst. I'm not sure that this show will be able to produce any more decent episodes. I'm pretty sure it's sinking.

Marmot: That was quick. Where was the mom in this episode?

Manatee: She didn't appear at all. That's one issue with this show. We've talked about the balance (imbalance) of the family/personal life vs. work life. The BF was missing in episode 2 but showed up and purposed in episode 3. The mom was absent though in episode 2 she had a large story line. The stupid sister was still there unfortunately.

Marmot: It's odd that the Mom just sort of disappeared. I was also hoping the guy with the eye patch would show up, but no dice. I thought the whole story in this episode was weak, with Missy Pyle stealing diamonds...what?

Manatee: The whole story line was unfortunately all revolving around Mary's emotional commitment issues and the Witness Protection aspect just mirrored her issues.

Marmot: Which could be nice, if used properly. But...it wasn't. I couldn't care less about what was going on with her...client? What are they called?

Manatee: Ward?

Marmot: I don’t like that. They should change it.

Manatee: There were also some really dumb "comic relief" scenes. Like the detective on the horse at the end, leading the bad guy by a rope. Marshall and his boss dancing at work.

Marmot: Marshall and his inability to talk to Mary's boobs.

Manatee: Weird sexual tension between those two

Marmot: Yeah. It's there, it's just weird.

Manatee: Overall, I don't like where the characters are going... which is nowhere really. There is no growth, no stakes for anyone.

Marmot: Well, it is still early. It's only the 3rd episode. Usually these shows take a little while. How many are in this season?

Manatee: Well, I think there are only 12. So I'm going to be your typical TV watcher... I want more now. I don't have time to sit around and watch a character slowly evolve over 4 seasons! I want awesomeness now! I demand it.

Marmot: Only 12? Yeah, something should have happened by now. I call for a Marshall / bald boss hookup!

Manatee: I'll second that. Though I think everyone is in love with Mary (ring a bell)... Marshall, her BF, her boss, and maybe that little 10 year old from last week.

Under One Roof (1.9)

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 @ 8 PM
My Network TV

Under One Roof - Season 1, Episode 9, "Moose Crossing"

MyNetworktv.com

On an all new Under One Roof, Winston's old football buddy is coming to town. But when he shows up, HE turns out to be a SHE! Can Winston take it like a man? (MyNetworktv.com)

Manatee: Take a cue from Ugly Betty, Sex change story lines suck.

Marmot: Yes, they do. At least Ugly Betty handled it with some compassion. This show is like that friend from high school that you see years later after you've grown up, but they're still making the same gay and racist jokes from 10 years ago.

Manatee: I'll tell you this much, I don't know the actress who played Moose but she's a heck of a lot different looking than Rebeca Romijn.

Marmot: You'd think she would have made an effort to change her name to something other than Moose.

Manatee: You would think.

Marmot: I wonder what that actress felt like auditioning for this part. We need you to play an attractive woman, but be passable as having once been a man.

Manatee: I hope they made her say the line, "Get off my booty, yo!" in the audition.

Marmot: Oh, so many great lines in this episode. Like "no matter which way you slice it, it's always there"

Manatee: Gross! I also like the reference to Whohas (sp?).

Marmot: GLAAD and other similar organizations would be all over this show if they knew it existed.

Manatee: I was slightly offended by the unnecessary squirting of whip cream into Cali Cal's mouth last night. What did you think about that bar set?

Marmot: It was awesomely terrible. I felt like I'd seen it before, though.

Manatee: I'll tell you where: stolen from the set of the 1990s high school series, Saved By The Bell, in which 3 pals, Zack, Slater, and Screech sneak out to a dance club to hang out with college age girls.

Marmot: You're right! Under One Roof: where old sets go to die.