Lost will be back this Tuesday with a two-hour premiere starting its sixth and final season. There will be another 16 episodes and then ALL WILL BE OVER.

Excuse us while we have a moment.

Ok, we are back. After 5 seasons of mind blowing happenings, twists and turns, ghosts, psychics, physics, pseudo-physics, religious overtures, polar bears and boars and horses, time travel, deaths, births, The (ZOMBIE) Love Quadrangle of Doom (that nearly drove us insane), numbers, coincidences, fate, mumble jumble, whispers, hatches, Others, other others, villains, double crossings, WTfuckery and whatnots, we repeat: All Will Be Over.

Needless to say, we, as die-hard fans of the show since its inception, have high expectations for this last season. And there are a few things that we would like to see happening in our little screen in order to make us happy:

1) A Grand Unified Theory of Everything.

Physics geeks FTW! Darlton (that’s the ’ship name for writer/creators Damon Lindeloff and Carlton Cuse) have promised us a Lost GUT since the beginning, and we are going to be so incredibly pissed if it turns out to be any of the following: Snowglobe, Purgatory, Paradise Lost, All just a dream or whatever.

We’ll be even MORE PISSED if there is no Grand Unified Theory of Everything answer for everything that has happened so far.

We will be so mad if they give us nothing, or if they cop out with a Twilight Zone ending. If the writers simply say any of the following:

1. LOST island is just a weird island that moves around the south pacific because of electromagnetism
2. Jacob, Ghosts of People That Have Died, Smokey, et. al. are mere figments of the imagination brought on by electromagnetism
3. The whispers are completely forgotten (or are simply The Others)…or are sounds created by electromagnetism
4. Richard Alpert is just a lucky dude that has had a long life because he is on the island and can jump around because of…electromagnetism
5. The island heals people because….electromagnetism
6. Desmond can flash through time because….electromagnetism

TELL US WHAT THE POINT IS. No more pseudo “well, duh, it’s electromagnetism” crap! Is Lost Island an alien experiment that spawned all life and religion on earth? Is it Hell? You promised us a Grand Unified Theory DAMMIT, and you WILL DELIVER.

(Just so you know there are a grand total of 325 unanswered questions so far. You can read them all here)

That is really what we would like to see. Above all else. A measure of reasoning and sanity behind it all: the clear and unmistakable proof that there was a plan behind everything that we saw in this show. That we were not just jerked around for the sake of WTF!OMG!POLARBEAR moments. If we get ANSWERS, even if we don’t necessarily LIKE them, we will be happy campers indeed (ok maybe not happy campers per se, but you get our drift).

The rest will be icing on the cake, like:

2) A Measure of Happiness

These people have been through a lot. We mean, a lot. Yes, some of them do have reproachable pasts. Some of them did Really Bad Things. But the majority of the characters deserve at least, some measure of happiness. We are talking about Hurley, for example. If that dude, doesn’t get a happy ending, somehow, somewhere, we will be devastated.

Or Sun and Jin. Claire and Aaron. Locke. And Desmond. Speaking of which:

3 ) DESMOND

We would really like to know if Desmond is really as special as we think he is. All signs, in our opinion point to “Yes”. We have geeked out on a Grand Desmond Theory for years, ever since he first showed up in season 2. In season 5 he took a back seat (he hardly even showed up) that made us seriously doubt ourselves. And that cannot be. We are hoping he will come back with a bang in this last season and prove us right. Or the universe will collapse.

4) The End of the Quadrangle of DOOM once and for all.

The Love Quadrangle of Doom gave us stupid scenes like the one above. But we saw the end of it, when Sawyer found happiness with Juliet. They were cute together. They were in love. BUT at the end of season 5, Juliet fell to her death. That, coupled to the possible reset, prompted by the Hydrogen Bomb blowout may point out to a reset of the Quadrangle as well. We hope this is not the truth. (Although, deep in her heart of hearts, Ana still sort of hopes of a Sawyer-Kate ultimate hook-up) (And so does Thea. Even though she knows it’s not gonna happen).

5) Sawyer

He better have an heroic ending. No other character has had such an awesome arc as Sawyer. He went from a sleazy womaniser, self-absorbed con-man to a mature, responsible, leader that people could look up to. We would prefer he made it alive and well, but if he dies he better die a heroic death. No backtracking, please. We are just saying.

And one last thing: He Walks Amongst Us But Is Not One Of Us

(If you are sick and tired of us bitching and moaning about Jack, avert your eyes now!)

The ONE thing we are not prepared to see is for Jack to be the beginning and end of everything. If the Grand Unified Theory of Everything is …. Jack…..

…because he is the Incarnated Something from Somewhere (as his godforsaken tattoos from that scary Thai chick with the alien chest might signify) we actually think our collective brains will literally explode and our faith on TV shows will forever be tarnished by this blackness of profound lack of creativity. This can not happen. We don’t think we can ever recover after that.

And that is it! What about you, fellow Lost geeks? What do YOU want from the Final Season?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

in which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

Ana’s Favorites:

Dexter

Meh, this week didn’t do much for me. I was expecting a lot more after Dexter killed an innocent man last week. Even though the episode did deal with it, a la Dexter (by examining and comparing) , I still felt underwhelmed. I was surprised that Trinity tried to kill himself and the whole euphony he went through was WEIRD. And what about Deb’s find that Lundy’s killer can not be Trinity? WTF? Who was it then? Do we have a suspect? I have to admit, the first person I thought was the skanky journalist but I have no motive. And Rita. Rita, Rita, Rita do NOT DARE cheat on Dexter.

Castle

Another great, amusing episode. I liked this week’s case even though I guessed the killer from the start, but it was great seeing Castle being led by his nose in this one. I still can’t suspend my disbelief though with the NYPD walking around and including him in all of their interrogations and investigations. And can I ask a question? When does exactly he actually you know…WRITE?

Modern Family

OMG , I finally watched the first episode of Modern Family and I can’t believe how hilarious it was! How come I did not know that Al Bundy was in it. And Phil! – could that be? No, it can not be! But maybe? Surely not? The new Michael Scott? Cause all of his scenes were definitely cringe worthy. loved it and am adding it to the must-watch list!

Supernatural

Dudes. I am watching it but I am saving the snark-fest for this year’s Smugglivus’ Airing of Grievances.

V

LOVED the episode. Especially because there is now a Most Hawt Mysterious character for me to crush on! The infiltrated doctor, I am betting he is this John May! The twist with him killing the FBI guy and then blondie being Anna’s daughther was cool too. I am really digging this show.

House

I thought the whole episode was STUPID. House is back to manipulating people in the worst of ways. the whole thing with Thirteen (GOD I hate that woman) and Taub was ridiculous. I can’t believe Cameron left so easily and I can’t believe Chase didn’t leave with her! Come on! He was never THAT into the team anyways, now he wants to stay and the woman he loved for ages is finally THERE for him? COME ON. Gaah. Yeah, Cameron’s final speech was touching but too little too late in my opinion.

The Office:

One word: Re-Cyclops.

Thea’s Favorites:

Dexter

It’s really coming down to the wire now – you can feel the end of the season RAPIDLY approaching. Sob. I am going to miss you Dexter.

Well, this week was solid once again, although I’m more than a little annoyed with the implication that Rita’s going to sleep around on Dexter (next door neighbor douche – to quote Dex, “Do I see sheets of plastic in your future?”), and that someone other than Trinity shot Lundy and Deb. My money right now is on Quinn’s reporter girlfriend (aka Ms. No Top). Although I’m more than a little pissed that yet again, there’s another Batshit!Crazy! girlfriend on the show. Can we get some originality here? A non-clingy/bitchy/insane female character please? No? (on the flip side, someone about Deb’s height with motive for murder – it COULD be Dexter himself. He could be snapping – his murder of an innocent man last week proves this. Wouldn’t that be a helluva twist!?)

Quinn is also starting to remind me of Doakes in more than one way…I don’t really like the guy that much. I don’t know how much longer he may be with us…

House

GAAAAAAAAAAH. Thirteen is back. Whoopdeefuckingdoo. I think Jennifer Morrison leaving the show wasn’t really handled that well – they could have milked it a bit longer. As is, Cameron’s reasons for leaving the hospital (and the show) seem a little thin. I would have loved it if she had to grapple with Chase’s decision to kill the dictator, which didn’t affect her nearly so much as Chase being manipulated by House. Her final speech to House, admitting why she loved both him and Chase was touching, I’ll admit. I’ll really miss Cameron. She was a great character, a great moral center for the show. Sigh.

Castle

Not much to say, except, hee! I love Castle. His relationship with Alexis is so wonderful. I loved how worried he was that she was hiding something from him, and when it turns out she decides not to go overseas (at least for now), it’s sweet. Awwwww. That is all.

V

The plot thickens!!!! I *loved* the end, where Lisa (the cute blonde V) is Anna’s daughter! I am so looking forward to an Anna versus Erica showdown. I love how feisty Elizabeth Mitchell is, and I am definitely developing a soft spot for her and the priest. Now what exactly is “The Fifth Column” and who the hell is John May as their leader? I’m definitely getting LOST vibes from the show (hello, Jacob), but in a good way. I’m loving this.

Modern Family

How much do I love this show? It’s easily the funniest new show of the season, and it’s got so much potential. This week, the lovely, HILARIOUS Elizabeth Banks makes a cameo, as does Edward Freaking Norton! Talk about some solid actors! Elizabeth Banks as drunky McFun girl (who resents Lily for stealing her two gay best party buds) and Ed Norton as british bass player from the ’80s absolutely rock.

Glee

This episode was SO CRINGEWORTHY. Every other scene I would be ducking my head, embarrassed for each of the characters. Hilarious yes, but cringeworthy. Kurt and his plan to get Finn to quit girls entirely and sob into his shoulderpads – brilliant. Rachel’s inappropriate school girl crush on Will – awkwardly wonderful. SUSIE PEPPER! Effing awesome – she’s all Molly Shannon circa Superstar. With peppers. Also, mixed in with the cringeworthy hilarity, there’s a lot of heart too – Quinn being kicked out by her family was really sad stuff. I hate what she’s doing to both Puck and Finn (come on, Finn deserves to know the truth even though he’ll most likely still stay with her), but I feel sorry for her too. Looks like the cat’s out of the bag though – I’m pretty sure the baby daddy news will get back to Finn soon enough.

Community

Another really solid episode! Loved Jeff sucking up to Senor Chang (aka El Tigre), especially LOVED the An American Tail drops throughout. Somewhere, out there…beneath the *pale* moonlight….

The Office

HAHAHAHAHA! The shareholder meeting didn’t go so well. I love the timely message, and how Oscar chickens out when it comes time to speak to the executive board. Also, Recyclops? WIN.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The D.E.N.N.I.S. system. *facepalm* It seems like a lot of work just to get a good bang in, but whatever works I suppose! It’s such an evil, exploitative system….and it’s hilarious in how well the whole thing works. Also, Sweet Dee and her marine were pretty damn funny here too. Man, I love these assholes.

And that’s it from us! What about you? Any TV moments you care to share?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

in which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of November 7 to November 13

Ana’s Favourites

Mad Men

This season final was very good and wrapped up the season beautifully. Starting with what I expected would happen: that Don WOULD leave Sterling Cooper to start a new agency. What I did not see coming was Sterling and Cooper themselves joining him. It was great fun though to see their antics, their attempts to co-opt other people and to steal stationary stuff from the office! And I loved that they brought Peggy, Peter and Joan along too!

Now, on the Private Life of Din and Betty Draper: OMG can that woman be any more stupid??? I was ultra happy that she decided to go be happy with the dude and ask Don for divorce BUY BETTY HOW DO YOU LEAVE A HUSBAND ANT TAKE YOUR KIDS INTO A NEW MARRIAGE AND DOESN’T EVEN ASK FOR MONEY FOR YOUR OWN SECURITY? Because WOMAN! What if things don’t work out with the new guy? You barely know him! What will you do, moneyless? Will you go back to Don and ask for help? And you know what? I am pretty sure the guy will turn out to be a bully!

Now, we wait and see.

Dexter

What is up with Trinity??? He freaked me out this episode. The whole scene at the woods, was just….I don’t know. Does he suspect Dexter or is he going into another cycle….but so soon? Is he “broken”??? why? So many questions!

And Dexter! OMG he killed an innocent man, thus breaking his code. What will happen next? Will he realise that he is a true sociopath and perhaps not feel anything about it? Or is this “external” code stronger than his internal wiring? How will he deal with that – I think that this killing will mean a lot to the show, perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of the end : it is easier to forget and forgive him when he is killing other serial killers. But an innocent man? Not so much.

And poor Batista and Laguerta!!!

Castle

How do I adore this show? Not only the weekly mysteries are interesting/keep me guessing, I SO adore Castle. And Castle and his mom. And Castle and his cute daughter . oh and Castle and Beckett – oh the chemistry. It slays me. I am loving it!

House

Yay, House is back after a break! Once again, the relationship between House and Wilson proves to be the best one on this show – loved their interaction but there is no surprise here. THERE IS a surprise in finding out that Cuddy is all. …cuddly with the PI dude! wtf????????? And the ending when Chase tells Cameron about the dude he killed? I am worried. Can’t wait to see her reaction.

V

Didn’t think this one lived up to the pilot but thought it was pretty cool. From the opening sequence I just KNEW that the V!FBI dude would so come back. And I love the telltale sign of a V – the blinking eyes. I am pretty sure this will come into play bit time. I am not sure I like Erica’s son though – he is annoying me. A LOT. But I am still surprised that Scott Wolf doesn’t.

And who is already shipping Erica and the priest? *raises hand* (and yes. I know it’s wrong)

Glee

This episode was amazing. I cried I laughed, I CARED. Starting with the Artie storyline and the whole thing with the wheels. His solo of Dancing With Myself (my favourite Billy Idol song!) was awesome. Then Quinn being a complete bitch with poor Finn and Puck – so unfair – why does she think she can get away with it? Then, there is Sue and the most surprising info about her life and finally, Kurt and his dad. I LOVE his father, he is awesome. Their scenes were incredible. Loved this episode.

The Office

There is a reason why The Office is one of the best sitcoms ever and this episode was a brilliant example: the complete crazyness that this office is coupled with Michael being LAME yet LOVEABLE. I mean, how wrong is it in the face of possible ruin, he decides the answer is to play Murder? And yet, it turned out to be the right thing to do! Them everybody getting to play southern accents? Oscar’s was so funny! and OMG Creed thinking that it was for reals and then leaving the office and then finally, the stand -off of “double agents” Michael, Dwight, Andy and…..Pam! LOLOLOL. I was in stitches.

Thea’s Favorites

Dexter

Another crazy week on Dexter – I’m with Ana. I think Trinity is on Dexter’s game. Clearly, his ritual isn’t quite done yet, I think there’s one final murder that Lundy never was wise to…hence the crazy coffin. (On a funny note, last week in the comments Kristen said that Trinity’s a nice guy as long as you leave his ashes alone – and this week we can add “and as long as you don’t interrupt him while he’s sanding down his COFFIN” to the list)

And holy smokes, Dexter killed an innocent man. This is HUGE. This could be bad. That’s a line that Dexter cannot EVER afford to cross…I wonder how this will play out. Nail biting will ensue.

House

Yay, it’s back! Except…things are looking increasingly grim for the gang. Someone leaked that Jennifer Morrison will be leaving the show this season (I saw it on the TV Guide cover while waiting in line at the supermarket)…so, methinks Chase’s news is NOT going to go over well. (GODDAMMIT this means fucking Thirteen is back dammitDammitDAMMIT). Also, how adorable are House and Cuddy?

Castle

What Ana said – Castle is so much fun. This week’s episode was more of the same awesomeness – I love Castle’s quippy asides. And how does Beckett NOT know about the movie Quicksilver with Kevin Bacon and Paul Rodriguez?

V

Hell fucking yes, show 2 was pretty solid. V has promise, and I’m jumping on this train. Alan Tudyk is ALIVE! Aaaaa! I agree that Tyler is annoying, but I can understand why he’s such a lying jerk to his mom (I mean, he is a rebellious teenager). Once again, Elizabeth Mitchell is made of awesome, and holy crap Tori from BSG was in this episode! I automatically assume she’s a V too – Cylon, V, she’s never EVER to be trusted.

Glee

Yay, Glee’s back too! And this was a surprisingly touching episode – not only because of Wheels and how his teammates finally understand what he’s going through, but because of Sue’s hidden past, and because of Tina’s stutter story. AND ohmygod, Kurt and Rachel’s duet of Defying Gravity was….goosebump inducing.

AND while we’re on Glee – did you know that the kid that plays Wheels actually was in a bonafide boy band before the show? I looked him up and couldn’t stop laughing. Just watch the video HERE. He’s the first one singing. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Community

Another solid episode! I loved Abed’s future prediction powers – is a werewolf REALLY coming to campus? Oh god I hope so.

The Office

“Well I do decla-ah!” Bwahahahaha! Another solid episode, and I want this murder mystery game. It looks fun. And holy crapoly, Erin and Andy! *facepalm* They are adorable. And oh my god, Oscar’s accent was the WORST I have ever heard. EVER. Amazing.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Mac and Dennis really are a codependent couple, and their breakup was pretty funny stuff. But one of my favorite pairings is when Dee and Charlie hook up, and the cat-in-the-walls thing was again, hilarious.

AND that’s it from us this week! What have you been watching?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

in which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of November 1 to November 6

Ana’s Favourites

Mad Men

The last two episodes were everything I have been hoping for with regards to Don facing both his past and his present mistakes. Betty finally confronts him about what she found and he breaks down and tells her everything. It was a very good scene where I realised, not for the first time how good an actor he is. I was kinda sad for him at the same time that I was totally and completely HAPPY that he was getting what he deserves and that came in this week’s episode – when Betty tells him that she does not love him anymore. Awesome.

When this season first started and I learnt it was 1963, I knew that the JFK’s assassination would have to come into play at some point, and I was not disappointed. It was well expected to see how it touched all the characters and there was one scene in particular that left me really surprised only because I was not aware of the fact that Lee Oswald was shot , live on TV! Betty screaming at the TV was…whoa, man.

Next week, is the final episode of the season and I really want to see how all storylines will come together. Here is hoping that part of the team will leave Sterling Cooper for their own agency – that would be all kinds of awesome.

Dexter

Oh my word! Hhow freaky and yet totally cool is John Lithgow playing serial killer Trinity? One moment I think he is totally scary , the next he is as cuddly as a teddy bear. The moment that Dexter and us , viewers realise that Trinity leads a regular life with family, kids and he is a deacon at church was quite possibly one of the most memorable scenes in Dexter, ever. Then, of course, there is the hope that Dex feels that he too, can have it all, which is the theme of this season. And this is proven by how over and over again he gets away with things. Rita on the other hand is annoying me so.freaking.much.

But seriously, how awesome is Deb this season? I don’t think I ever liked her this much. The scene at the parking lot where she breaks down after Lundy’s murder was so raw and so sad. I honestly cried a lot in that scene. I am also really, really enjoying how Quinn is helping her and I yes, I am rooting for a future hook-up. What can I say? It is the shipper in me!

Castle

One word for you: Browncoat. The Halloween episode was all kinds of cool with Nathan Fillion donning his Firefly costume again and I was totally geeking out at it. Other than that, the show is so very pleasant – yes each week’s case is your usual police procedural but they manage to make it interesting; and of course the
chemistry between Castle and Becket is another one that pleases the shipper in me!

V

DUDES! THE PILOT WAS AWESOME! I loved every second of it, the acting, the special effects, the tension, the divided loyalties. I even liked Scott Wolf! V has so much potential. I won’t say anything else as we plan to write a post about it after the second episode (just in case this one was a fluke) because that’s how much we both loved it. After FlashforwardFail, this has restored my faith in this new season!

Thea’s Favorites – I’ve got two weeks to catch up on, so here goes…

Dexter

Deb’s heartbreaking loss and her scene was just…wow. I agree with Ana – Jennifer Carpenter is really awesome this season, and I think she deserves an award nod. That parking lot scene…just WOW. That said, I’m fed up with Quinn and I love how his journalist girlfriend is TOPLESS IN EVERY SCENE. How do you cast that? “Looking for hot chick who will be topless in every scene – prudes need not apply!” Heh. To be fair, she has some nice knockers.

John Lithgow and the revelation that he’s JUST.LIKE.DEXTER is awesome. He’s terrifying, and I’m enjoying learning more about what makes Trinity tick – why he kills. The scene with his wife in the bathtub….eeeeew! Creepy! I like that Dexter is trying to pick up tips from him, as wrong as it is. And is it wrong that I hate Darla – I mean Rita – so much? She’s getting annoying…but then I stop and think about it, and she’s just (finally) picking up on the fact that Dexter is not the standup guy he pretends to be. I wonder if she’ll ever learn about Dex’s “Dark Passenger”? Will she accept him? Interesting…

V

Holy smokes, I LOVED THIS PILOT! It had everything I could have wanted – great acting, solid plot setup, awesome special effects, promise for a season full of goodness. Why didn’t ABC pick this as their “LOST replacement” show? It’s certainly lightyears better than that gawdawful mess that is Flashforward! Also I should note that I haven’t seen the ’80s show, so I have no frame of reference for the pilot. But what I’ve seen, I’ve really, really liked. A list of the coolness that is the new V:

• Morena Baccarine (aka Inara) as “Anna” – she’s terrifying and so fitting. I’m not a huge fan of the hair, but it suits the character perfectly. She looks alien. And I love how she does that weird blinking thing that makes her look like a reptile in human skin.
• The fact that V pokes fun at its own recycled source material – “It’s like Independence Day –” “Which was a ripoff of any number of science fiction predecessors!” Yeeaaaaaah SF geeks, FTW!
• Seeing Morena Baccarine and Alan Tudyk in the same show again! Awwww. Even though they are completely different characters.



• My sweet, sweet Elizabeth “Juliet” Mitchell. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but I have the HUGEST girl-crush on the lovely Elizabeth Mitchell – probably the biggest girl crush I’ve had since I fell in love with Dana Scully back in fifth grade. Her role here as Erica is smart, beautiful and – naturally – badass as a mom and an FBI agent. Me likey.
• The special effects – the CG was amazingly solid. Color me impressed!



• Scott Wolf doesn’t even bother me – and is it just me, or does he look more and more like Michael J. Fox as he gets older? Also, I love that his name is “Chad Decker.” That’s almost as cool as “Cole Trickle.”
• The awesome plotseed of Erica and her teenage son, the tension that is building as he’s falling under the V’s spell



• The underlying theme that the Vs are responsible for our world turmoil; the idea that there are V sleeper cells; the reptile skin under the human flesh



• Morris Chestnut – I love him as an actor, and I love that he’s going more mainstream in this tv show. AND I love the twist that he’s a V with a conscience! Oooo, how exciting!

Modern Family

This is probably the funniest show to premiere this season. I LOVED the race between the Happy Gilmore chick and Steve from Dawn of the Dead last week, and this week’s fencing match was hilarious. Manny really tore that little asian girl apart *facepalm*

Community

The Halloween episode was HILARIOUS. I think it’s the first time I’ve really laughed my ass off while watching this show! Pierce’s tripping out, his desk fort…and Abed’s ridiculously spot on Bale-Batman voice. I loved it. LOVED IT. This week’s episode isn’t nearly as winning, but still fun.

The Office

Three words: Male Prima Donna.

The music video rules (as does the Subtle Sexuality website). I love Erin sooooo much. Also, this week’s episode with Michael dumping Pam’s mom on her b-day, and then Pam’s slap….just, wow. Awesome.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

KITTEN MITTENS! FINALLY! I have been laughing my ass off at these Charlie promos since they first aired, and finally, the Kitten Mittens episode is in the flesh. I mean, just look:

And I love any time that Charlie gets to use his Lawyerman Persona. He says the most random, ridiculous shit, and it’s amazing.

Also, last week’s episode with “Desert Rose,” the poking fun at Mickey Rourke’s The Wrestler, and OF COURSE, The Birds of War song…I have no words. Just watch.

AND that’s it from us this week! What have you been watching?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

in which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of October 17 – October 23

Ana’s Favourites

Mad Men

FINALLY, Betty is able to open that freaking drawer in Don’s study. This is something that has been building up for such a long time and I was glued to my screen as she went through her stuff. I had alternate feelings of exhilaration, anger (he keeps money hidden as well! The cretin! ) and pity when she realises the extent of what he keeps from her. But I ended up with ”frustrated” when she decided to keep silent about it. Here is hoping that it is a “for now” silence. On the other I think Don finally committed a HUGE mistake by starting an affair with someone so close to home , this will bite him in the ass (one hopes). That woman is seriously giving me Glenn Close circa Fatal Attraction vibes.

Dexter

OH HOLY GUACAMOLE. This episode was awesome. So many quote-worthy moments. The thing with Dexter smashing the lamps and being caught by Rita went nowhere Rita brushing it off as work related stress. How lucky can Dexter be? Then, the kids and Rita go on holidays and Dexter is all cute-like and happy that he gets to be alone and play serial killer. The person he chooses to kill is a cop who killed her husband and child in cold blood to be free and obviously the irony of choosing this person to kill is not lost in anyone, not even Dexter. BUT that leads to the epiphany that he has in the end (OMG WERE THERE TEARS IN HIS EYES?)that he would rather face being caught than to lose his family which was so totally amazing. ONLY this show is capable to make me cry in sympathy for a man AS HE KILLS SOMEONE. That is totally bonkers.

But oh my god, the ending was mind-blowing. I totally knew that we were headed to Lundy’s death as soon as he ran into the Trinity Killer (who gets creepier with each episode) and then left a message at Dexter’s machine (henceforth knows as The Clue to solve his own murder) but I did not expect Deb to be caught in the fire as well! Will she survive? I hope so. And Batista and Laguerta are too cute for words.

Castle

I LOVED this episode. The Murder of the week was a cool whodunit but once again it is the dynamics between Castle and Becket that made the episode. So.Many.Times they were THIS close from touching or saying something meaningful. I ended up growling in frustration more times than I can count! I am sure this relationship will build up to an impossible amount of pent-up sexual tension and then it will blow us away. Then again, maybe not (remember Moonlighting?). Anyways, this was a pretty cool episode, fun and entertaining. I LOVE LOVE the end of the episode. It left me with a huge smile in my face.

House

When House started to hear voices, I swear I felt my heart break into a million pieces. I was VERY worried for a moment there. Until we learnt that it was actually Wilson talking to the dead girlfriend that he was hearing and then my heart broke all over again. AW, WILSON!
I am also loving to see Chase suffering the consequences of his act. The scene with the priest was very poignant. Can’t wait to see how they play this throughout the series. The medical case of the week was an interesting one too.

Lie to Me

A great episode this week, very suspenseful. And me thinks I have another couple to ship – that will be Cal and Foster by way. She was so distraught by the whole hostage situation and the way Cal went to her for comfort in the end was awesome.

The Middle

Ok, I am totally digging this show. I thought this episode was funny and cute with the daughter trying to assert herself (I actually kinda of cheered her in the end) and the younger kid being all kinds of adorable with his totally creepy girlfriend.

Glee

Hummm I liked this episode but I thought it was all over the place with far too many storylines at the same time. The Noah-Rachel relationship and the Good!Sue! were wonderful arcs that could SO have lasted more than one episode. I mean, I even have a crush now on Noah and how cool would be to be rooting for Evil!Sue! to return? I sort of fear that this show is going to be cancelled and the writers are throwing all the punches now.

And I dislike a lot what Emma is doing to her fiancée.

Flashforward

*quits*

Thea’s favourites:

Dexter

HOLY CRAP! Lundy’s soooooo dead! Deb, on the other hand, cannot be. Nope. Simply cannot be. I refuse to believe it. Nope. *sits in denial tent with Ana* The boyfriend has a theory that it was Anton who shot them. I tend to think it’s Trinity.

Also, really liked Zoe in this episode. I laughed out loud at the “WHY does everything have to be about rape with you?!” part. Morbid humor. I fully agree with Ana, the briliance of this show is just…unparalleled. I am rooting so much for Dex, it’s ridiculous. And I have “awww” moments WHILE HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF DISMEMBERING A VICTIM. This is bizarre. But…I like it.

House

I like that Chase has some serious guilt issues now after killing Mufasa. It’s believable, I like the continuity…but I’m scared. I saw on the cover of TV Guide whilst standing in line at the supermarket that OMG SPOILER CAMERON IS LEAVING THE SHOW?!?!?!?!?! Shit. My imagination immediately jumps to Chase telling Cameron what he did, and since Cameron is so moral and CAMERON-Y, she will never be able to live with him and they get divorced, sad bananas abound!

Ahem. But on this week’s episode, I really like the touching moments between House and Wilson. Awww, Wilson.

OH and loved the “that’s FOREPLAY” line when Cuddy and House are doing their fighting thing. Rrraowr. Of COURSE it’s foreplay.

Modern Family

This show is really surprisingly funny. Loved the whole “coal digger” thing. The chick from Happy Gilmore is totally jealous of Gloria. And the gay guy is an ex-offensive lineman from Illinois?! That was awesome.

Glee

Ok, I have a huge crush on Puck and Rachel. Were they NOT adorable together!??!! I have to agree with Ana though – it really sucks that all these plot threads (Puck & Rachel, Will & Emma, Sue’s love life) all started and resolved in a single episode. I would’ve milked it a bit more.

Lots of Will dancing and singing in this one. The guy is pretty amazing. But…yeah, even though he’s a huge jerk, I have a crush on Noah (despite his stupid hair). He’s a hottie. And I liked his “Sweet Caroline.” And I think he and Rachel have good chemistry. DAMMIT why do I always pick the losing ’ships?

The Office

Jim and Pam are baaaaaack! And Michael is sleeping with Pam’s mom. Oh. Dear. Lord. I don’t think Pam was overreacting. Though I did feel bad for Michael because he genuinely seems to like Pam’s mom. He’s all sensitive and…Michael about it.

My favorite moment of the episode? When Toby walks in on Michael and Jim having a talk and JIM goes “DAMMIT NOT NOW, TOBY!” Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Poor Toby. And then later when Michael pretends to be his friend…oh man. Poor Toby.

Community

Oh dear lord that mascot was terrifying. (It’s supposed to be gender and race neutral)

Other than that, not the funniest episode. Blah. The boyfriend really likes the show, so I’ll keep watching, but it’s kinda meh all around for me.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Other than the fact that I have nothing but seething hate for the Phillies right now (though the Angels’ win last night totally makes me feel better about baseball!!!), this was another solid episode. I loved Mac’s letter to Chase Utley! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL:

Dee: Did you write a love letter to Chase Utley? Is that …?
Mac: In a lot of ways, yes I do love him, but that is not a love letter in the way that you are thinking of it. Ok? I mean, there’s nothing sexual –
Dee: Ok. That sounds good. Great. I’m gonna read it.
Mac: Yeah read it!
Dee: ‘Dear Chase’ Oh SHIT there are stickers. My God. Oh this is good –
Mac: Yeah, you gotta jazz it up, you know, you gotta make it pop –
Dee: Oh you sure do. ‘Dear Chase, I feel like I can call you Chase because you and me are so much alike.’ Really. ‘I would love to meet you someday. It would be great to have a catch. I know I can’t throw as fast as you, but I think you would be impressed with my speed. I love your hair. You run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me neither. These are all things we can talk about and more. I know you have not been getting my letters because you would write back if you did and I hope you write back this time and we get to be good friends. I am sure our relationship would be a real home run.’

[cut to courtroom where everyone is laughing]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh man. What a creeper. I love that the bailiff is cracking up too.

In Mac’s defense, Chase Utley is pretty cute. But I wouldn’t hesitate to take out a knee if I saw him in real life. (Goddamn Phillies ALWAYS in the way of my Dodgers…)

And that’s it from us! What about your fave tv moments?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

In which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of October 10 – October 16

Ana’s Favourites

Mad Men

Oh the humanity! I want to know this: is there anyone out there who watches Mad Men and does NOT scream with frustration at the telly? Because last week, I found myself totally losing it: doesn’t Don know how to keep his penis inside his trousers? Because seriously now, it must be pathological. I can’t believe the teacher fell for it. I also screamed at Betty for her TO JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT ALREADY. That woman drives me crazy

And oh, poor, poor Salvatore. I can’t believe he lost his job just like that. SCREW YOU Sterling and Cooper. I hope you all rot in hell.

Dexter

This was not the most memorable episode of Dexter ever although I do think it was one of the funniest? Also very awkward with Dexter trying so hard to fit in but totally missing it when it comes to Hester – that scene where he pushed her into the pool , I was all like: DEX! You don’t DO that with teenage girls, you moron! Poor guy. The whole thing with the neighbourhood watch was amusing. And OMG the ending! Rita saw him destroying the lamp! What will happen next?

The Trinity Killer scares the shit out of me.

Castle

In the words of Castle himself: Best. Episode. Ever. The case they were working on was fun (about a con man) and I loved how excited Castle got about the whole thing and how cool was Becket reading his book and conning him back? Oh and him freaking out about his daughter and the violin teacher? Made of win. I love this show, it amuses me to no end.

House

This episode wasn’t as good as the previous ones and to be honest, I thought the whole thing with 13 was plain stupid. But hey, sayonara 13, please don’t come back? Yeah. Not much else to say here.

Angel

Did you just do a double take? LOL. It is just that I finally caved and bought the DVD set and have been watching non stop this week – season 1 is done. Revisiting old favourites is just so awesome – like that episode where Buffy comes to LA and Angel is human and they have loads o f great sex and then she has to forget all about it but Angel will remember forever? Makes me cry every single time. Oh, Wesley, “Rogue Demon Hunter” –who might be my favourite male character, even more than Angel and Spike. I know, I know I may be crazy. There was also one particular episode when they are eating brownies and Angels says something like brownies are called so because they are brown. That was SUCH a AHA moment for me. I am easily entertained.

The Middle…

…was actually quite funny this week, way funnier than last week but still nowhere near as funny as the first episode. I remain a fan of the younger son but the daughter is taking the prize for Most Awkward Teen of the year. I really liked the touching final scene between Mon and Dad, it added some real feeling to the proceedings. So I will keep watching!

Glee

This is what happens when they bring Sue Sylvester to the front: everything else is eclipsed by Jane Lynch’s comedy genius. At the moment she tops my list of favourite comedians right up there with Steve Carrel – their deadpan deliveries are so awesome. I constantly wonder how can they possibly deliver those lines without totally losing it (Dear Partner says: “it’s called acting, honey”). Favourite quotes:

Sue: I can’t stand the sight of kids getting emotional, unless it’s from physical exhaustion.

Sue: I empower my Cheerios to be champions. Do they go to college? I don’t know. I don’t care. Should they learn Spanish? Sure, if they wanna become dishwashers and gardeners.

Oh, how deliciously un-PC.

Also: how much of a dupe can Will possibly be? Doesn’t he touch his wife at all??????? How can she keep up the pretence of being pregnant for such a long time? It boggles the mind.

The Office

I love how nobody can handle Michael when Jim is not around. So funny how Oscar was desperate and Kevin was amazing. The whole thing with the credit card had me in stitches. Not so crazy about the mafia-notmafia guy storyline although Andy cracks me up.

Supernatural

I really liked this episode. Since the whole apocalypse thing started, I kept waiting for the Antichrist to show and I liked that he was a kid and I liked how Sam and Dean dealt with it. It sort of reminded me of Good Omens by Terry Pratchet and Neil Gaiman…sort of. I do think Cassiel was possibly the right one in wanting to kill him though. Oh Dean is totally back to form: eating the ham like there was no tomorrow and the hair in the hand make me chuckle.

Thea’s Favorites:

Dexter

What Ana said: Not the most memorable episode ever. Can I reiterate how annoying Darla (I mean, Rita – sorry, she will ALWAYS be Darla in my mind) is? The ending of this episode with her judgemental “Oh, DEXTER” face makes me mad. I liked Dex’s awkwardness in this episode, especially when he pushes Esther into the pool. And I did like the moment between Dexter and Esther when she gives him the tween seal of approval, even though he’s a huge goober.

Also, Deb is an idiot and is going to sleep with Lundy and screw up the awesome (HEALTHY, finally) relationship she has with Andre, and Quinn is hilarious: “Who the FUCK is named ‘Dexter’ anyways!?”

Little People, Big World

Ok, what is it with TLC shows now? If Matt and Amy get divorced, I will have lost my faith in the institution of marriage!

Ok not really. But it sucks that they might be splitting ways, since they seem to hate each other in these first two episodes. Also, is Zach not the COOLEST big bro ever? He turned his car into a limo for his little sister. That is the sweetest freaking thing ever.

House

I liked the tension between Chase and Foreman, and duh of COURSE House figures out what was going on. The medical mystery was kind of…meh.

But one GLORIOUS thing happened this episode and I hope to the tv gods that it sticks – BUH-BYE THIRTEEN!!!! NA-NA-NA-NAAAA NA-NA-NA-NAAAA HEY-HEY-HEY GOOOOOODBYE!

(Seriously, if she is back, I will be angry. ANGRY. I want the original team to stay forever and ever and ever. Also, Cuddy is so pretty in this episode.)

Castle

What Ana (and Castle) said: BEST. EPISODE. EVER. I loved it. The ridiculous conning the conman twist upon twist, and then Beckett’s “hot date” – and of course, the ultimate scene when Castle gets her in the bathroom, while she’s looking for the Nikki Heat sex scene. Awesome. Nathan Fillion is such a cutie. I think I’ve finally got the boyfriend in a place where he’ll FINALLY agree to watch Firefly (he resists SFF with a passion – but I’ve turned him on to the Fillion. He doesn’t realize that resistance is futile – I know he’ll love the damn show anyways, but still he insists on doing this evasive dance! But not for much longer…. *EVIL LAUGH*)

Hell’s Kitchen

YAY DAVE WON! He was clearly the best of the lot since the beginning. So…yay!

Dirty Jobs

I love Mike Rowe. He’s my old man crush. And this episode was hilarious – skyscraper window washing is freaking scary. And yet, there is humor in the situation thanks to Mike’s sardonic sense of humor. A really good episode for a not-so-dirty (but completely freaking terrifying) job.

Toddlers in Tiaras

This show is hilarious and horrific at the same time, and laughing at the insane mommies is all part of the fun. But every once in a while, you get a little girl and her family who are actually doing the pageant thing because they LOVE it, and it is adorable. This season we’ve had two such little girls: Isabella, and this week with Miranda (this little girl with alopecia, who has to wear wigs – her mom enters her in pageants because Miranda loves them, and it gives her self confidence. Awwww.)

Modern Family

This show is hilarious. Seriously. I loved the “I wanna bang you in the moonlight” song. Freaking funny stuff.

Glee

This is another favorite episode for the season – and it is ALL because of Sue. Jane Lynch is a freaking comedic genius. I swear, she makes up her lines on the spot. She HAS to. There’s no way you can write this. My favorite part, when she’s picking teams:

Sue: Santana, Wheels, Gay Kid, Asian, Other Asian, Aretha, Shaft.

LOLOLOLOLOL. She is ridiculous. Songs weren’t as good in this episode, but the humor more than made up for it. Oh and I also echo Ana’s sentiments: Will is an idiot, and he must never ever touch his wife.

FlashForward

I officially came to a decision regarding this series this Thursday. I was watching the Dodgers-Phillies game (DAMN you Phillies), and the DVR warning came up on the screen, “FlashForward is scheduled to record. Change channel and record as planned? Don’t change channel and cancel recording?”

I chose “don’t change channel and cancel recording.” I am done with it. Sorry. And what’s even more infuriating? The fact that we now have THREE ex-LOST cast members on the show: Penelope, Cassidy and Charlie. How much can you ride LOST’s coattails? It’s kind of pathetic. Unless Ana lets me know that this week’s episode was amazing and mindblowing…I think I’m done. Though I do want to read the book.

Community

I loved Abed’s ridiculous “I’m an Alien” prank. And also, Senor Chang’s lines. The rest was kinda meh as usual, though Chevy Chase does play the piano and sing in this episode, which is always fun.

The Office

Who are we kidding, there is no way that this episode could even hold a candle to last week’s wedding. BUT, this week’s epi is still characteristically hilarious. Sweet, stupid Kevin with his inadvertent canceling of Jim’s credit card! I love the Dwight-Andy dynamic as well. Oscar says it best when he remarks that with Jim and Pam out of the office, the ratio of crazy to sane is completely out of whack.

30 Rock

Hey, 30 Rock is back! Season opener was ok. This is one of those shows I like, but don’t always tune in to watch because it’s pretty easy to jump in at any point without needing to watch it on a weekly basis. Tracy is ridiculously funny, and his attempts to reconnect with the common man is worth watching the episode.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Oh sweet, sweet Sunny. Charlie is my favorite character on the show, and he is just amazingly ridiculous. I loved the scene where Dennis and Mac are trying to put Charlie’s profile on Match.com (so as to get him over the waitress before he finds out that she’s getting married):

Dennis: Let’s talk about your likes and dislikes. How about your favorite food? What would that be?
Charlie: Milksteak.
Dennis: What?
Charlie: Milksteak.
Dennis: I’m not putting Milksteak, I’m gonna put steak–
Mac: Just put steak–
Charlie: Don’t put steak, put Milksteak. She’ll know what it is.
Dennis: No she won’t know what that is because nobody know what that is Charlie. Ok, ok, all right, what’s your favorite hobby?
Charlie: Uhh, magnets.
Dennis: Magne-Ok…like making magnets, collecting magnets?
Mac: Playing with magnets?
Charlie: Just magnets.
Dennis: Ok, I’m gonna put down snowboarding. We’ll put snowboarding.
Charlie: I don’t really snowboard.
Dennis: What are some of your likes?
Charlie: Ghouls.
Mac: Son of a bitch, what are you talking about now?
Charlie: You know, funny little green ghouls…
Dennis: What? What? Like in movies and cartoons?
Charlie: Like little green ghouls, buddy!
Mac: Don’t write ghouls.
Dennis: I’m not, I’m putting travel. Jesus Christ, what are your dislikes?
Charlie: People’s knees.
Dennis: COME ON DUDE, COME ON!
Mac: We’re just gonna make it up
Dennis: Let’s go, we’ll make it all up.
Charlie: Cover your knees up if you’re gonna be walking around everywhere.

Also, later, Charlie’s “I’m a fullonrapist.” (He’s trying to say “philanthropist.”) Or “I want the milksteak boiled over hard, and your finest raw jellybeans.”

I love this show so much.

And that’s it from us! What about your tv moments?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

In which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of October 3 – October 9:

Ana’s Favourites:

Mad Men

Oh well thank you TPTB for a stroke-inducing episode. For two reasons: 1) Don Drapper was absolutely gorgeous in this episode. The scene in Italy where Betty sits at a café and two (totally stereotypically sleezy) Italian men start to hit on her and then Don sits and they pretend they don’t know each other and OMG CAN THIS MAN BE ANYMORE SEXY AND CHARMING? I don’t think so. And yet Betty has the nerve to say he is ugly. WTF? Is she blind or something? Actually I do have a brand new Ana Theory about Betty. I think she is sick. I mean, in mentally ill type of sick. At the hotel she complained about the smell of something burning (isn’t that the sign of some mental malady?) and then in the end she totally snapped at Don. Very unbalanced that woman is.

The second stroking inducing reason was Pete Campbell and his pursuit of the German au-pair. If that wasn’t rape then my name is not Ana. She might not have said “no” but she was totally coerced by someone in a powerful position. Now we are back to stake one with Pete and my dislike for him has intensified tenfold. I do not care that he cried, that he felt guilty , whatever – that man has some serious problems as well. And don’t even get me started on the way neighbour dealt with the situation: what a bunch of jerks.

Dexter

Sunday television is not good for my health because this episode nearly caused me a heart attack. Dexter spent the whole episode running around trying to find out where did the remains of Gomez were always on the brink of collapsing and/or being found. I still can’t, for the life of me, understand how in the world I ended up rooting for a killer not to get caught but there you have it: the brilliance of this show. Meanwhile, John Lithgow is soooo creepy as the Trinity and he is scaring the beejesus out of me. I am loving the Batista-Laguerta ship and OH MY GOOD, Deb. Woman, just SHUT up. You are so wrong in so many ways..watching her putting her foot in her mouth (for the thousandth time) when talking to Lundy was painful. And embarrassing, I could hardly watch.

Castle

Meh. Wasn’t very impressed with this episode. I mean, it is a good , amusing way to spend one hour but meh, it wasn’t brilliant. I did like the Castle-Beckett convo in the end and I love Castle’s mother. She cracks me up.

House

Oh wow. This episode was awesome. It brought Chase and Cameron back to the team and the case they were working on was pretty heavy. I LOVE how Chase killed the dictator – it was a very difficult decision and one I keep thinking about for hours after I watched the episode wondering if I would do the same if I knew I could prevent mass murder. (I have no answer to that question ) .I can’t wait to see the repercussions: in any case, this is a wonderful character arc. As for House, his role wasn’t that important but the one scene where he cured his neighbour of a 35 year old muscle cramp made me cry. This season is very good so far.

Lie to Me

One of the best episodes of the week and of the show. I liked that it didn’t focus on the characters going around looking for other people’s lies, focusing instead on the main characters’ reactions to the investigations they were involved with. I liked to see the dynamics of Cal, his daughter and his ex-wife and how they dealt with the kid’s lies. And when James Masters walked into the room? I was like, OMG SPIKE! It is a shame that he got killed. I rather hoped he would be part of the show. Alas, no.

The Middle

Ha. Hummm….where did all the funny go? This is crazy: I loved the first episode but this one? Not so much. The strange thing is…the jokes were similar. So..yeah. I don’t know if I will keep watching. Maybe.

Glee

I think this was definitely the best episode of the series so far. I LOVED the musical numbers – the mash ups had me clapping and dancing! The episode was part funny part poignant (the PE teacher proposal made me all weepy) and DUDES, Sue is now Glee coach. Oh this promises much much laughter. And OMG her Journal? Seriously, how WRONG is that woman? She is Evil but as of now, Jane Lynch owns my soul.

Favourite Sue Quotes:

“Every time I try to destroy that club, it comes back stronger than some sexually ambiguous horror movie villain.”

“You’re dealing with children. They need to be terrified. It’s like mother’s milk to them.”

As for Will and Emma..awwww. She is weird but so cute, and they have a cute chemistry that reminds me of Pam and Jim: we need a new JAM peeps. This might be it! I really do hate Will’s wife though…..the whole thing with the vitamin D was so f-up (although, yes, hilarious).

The Office

This was quite possibly the best episode of The Office so far. It was the right mixture of everything that this show is about: the wrongness of Michael and Dwight. The awkward moments (Kevin and his shoes! Andy and his scrotum!) and the funny moments which are one and the same. But really, the best thing about The Office is in its hidden heart. Like when Michael and Andy cry during the wedding. Mostly, though, this was Pam and Jim’s episode. Their wedding was everything I wanted it to be and Jim and so awwwwwwwww and made me cry over and over again: when he cut his tie; when he spoke of the mental photographs; when he did his speech and said he didn’t mind waiting for Pam because he knew he was waiting “for his wife” (*sniffles*) and then the wedding itself alternating between the real wedding at Niagara Falls and the wedding in the church with the entire cast doing that dance down the aisle from that famous youtube video! I was a mess by the end of the episode, crying and laughing like a maniac and then Jim went on to talk about Plans A, B and C and I cried all over again. I have followed and rooted for these two since episode 1 and it was just great to see this.

It was funny. Heartwarming. It was brilliant TV, folks.

Flashforward.

Blah, blah, blah, blah. This show has yet to totally win me over. Mostly the episodes so far have been 35 minutes of boredom and 5 minutes of WTF. That does not a show make. The worst thing is that this is clearly, Lost’s formula. But the difference is that in those 35 minutes, the characters of Lost would shine, baby, shine! I have to admit to being intrigued as to the premise of the show and I will probably keep tuning in but let’s face it: this show lacks something. It lacks a Jack for us to HATE and a Saywer for us to LOVE. Yep. That’s it. I wonder if I shouldn’t just get the book and be done with it.

Supernatural

Finally back to a monster of the week episode. When I am THIS close from quitting this show because I am not digging the apocalypse mambo jambo , they bring me back in, damn it! This week reminded me why I liked the show in the first place and the promo for what is come looked great too! So yeah, I will keep watching…for now.

Thea’s Favourites:

Entourage

For the season finale, it’s basically everything you expect to happen. Drama goes in for his reading (loving Drama this season), Turtle is an idiot, Vince is predictably one note, Eric slobbers over Sloane…but the crowning moment of the show, in my opinion, was freaking Lloyd!!!!! I wouldn’t watch Entourage if it wasn’t for the boyfriend (like most twenty-something dudes, he loves this damn show, and refuses to admit that it’s the fluffy equivalent of Sex and the City for dudes), but the one thing that keeps me from physically wrestling away the control is the relationship between Lloyd and Ari. “You’re a real Asian now.” Awwwwww.

Dexter

*takes deep breaths* *tries not to hyperventilate* This season is gonna be SO bad for my health. After the car wreck, Dexter NEEDS to find Benny Gomez’s missing pieces before someone else does…except he has a concussion and can’t freaking remember where he put the body. I was on tenterhooks the entire time. And then when Dex gets the news that he can’t sleep for twelve more hours, I was laughing my ass off. Poor guy can’t catch a break! I loved all the little hints throughout about where Benny is, I loved Deb running her mouth and looking like a complete moron, I love how much of a KISSASS Quinn is (hilarious), and John Lithgow officially freaks me out now. I used to see him walk his dogs on campus and took a class with his wife (who is a History professor of all things), and if I ever saw him again, I’d probably turn and run the other way. Creeeeeeeeepy.

Hung

I finished the season this week. Finally. It’s pretty good. I mean, more of a character show, with some funny moments, some touching moments, a lot of WTF moments. I liked it, wasn’t super crazy about it though. Tanya is such an insecure loser, and my heart goes out to her. Ray is…Ray. Not too bright, just a normal guy living the crapper life after his house burns down. I liked how current the series is, with the economic undertones (the show takes place in Detroit). And the acting is pretty damn solid. I wasn’t blown away by the show, but it was a solid On-Demander.

House

Wow, they are really going balls to the wall this season. James Earl Jones guest starring as an ruthless African Dictator is, as one might expect, brilliant. I was so so so stoked to see the original team of House, Foreman, Chase and Cameron back together again! WOOHOO! And also glad to see Thirteen getting (hopefully?) pushed off the show. Seriously. Not a fan. Not a big fan of Foreman’s either. I loved the storyarc here, and how it is Chase, of all people, that does the unthinkable. I am terrified for next week!

Castle

Not a spectacular or memorable episode, but fun nonetheless. Although the show’s perception of fashion week and couture clothing was sad. Those awful plastic fintstones necklaces. *shudders*

Glee

I gotta agree with Ana here. This was probably my favorite episode since the pilot, and that’s all because of the awesome mashups (Confessions/It’s My Life was better than Halo/Walking on Sunshine, IMO), and the return of the glorious Sue C. That actress…I swear, she doesn’t get a script. They just stick her in a scene and tell her to make shit up, and it’s solid gold. Will’s wife is a horrible person, but such a great character! She’s hilarious. And Emma and WIll are sweet. They don’t got a THING on Jam though. Speaking of….

The Office

BEST. EPISODE. EVER. I laughed, I cried, I melted into a fangirly pile of goop. The wedding was EVERYTHING you could have ever wanted. I loved it. There are no words. It was simply perfection from start to finish. Jim and Pam FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!

Community

Meh. This show isn’t really that funny, though I do love Chevy Chase and Senor Chang. Next week 30 Rock is back, so that’s something to look forward to…

FlashForward

So I finally caught up on last week’s episode….and I’m still waffling about this show. On the one hand, it is some ridiculous LOST fan-pandering, trying to snatch the core audience for when the show ends after this season. Matt from Alert Nerd wrote it best in his rant – a lot of the stuff was frankly annoying and condescending to fans. But I like to give shows at least three episodes to form a final opinion…and episode 2 wasn’t so bad. It’s still a ridiculously over the top drama complete with over-acting, but I liked some of the new developments. I liked the doll factory and this mysterious element hiding the cause of the flashforwards, and things look pretty grim for John Cho’s character when that police woman died, eh?

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Last night was a double shot of goodness, with the new episode back to back with a repeat of one of my all time FAVORITES: “Sweet Dee Has A Heart Attack”. So. Many. Good. Lines. And this episode, with Frank’s intervention is another winner:

“Salt the snail! SALT THE SNAIL!” *throws salt at Gail*

I loved all the boxed wine, the drinking it out of a can trick, Charlie once again showcasing his learning disability (i.e. he cannot read)…these people are so terrible, and I love it.

That’s it from us today – what were your favourite TV moments last week?

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you On The Boob Tube with The Book Smugglers:

In which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad.

For the Week of September 28 – October 2:

Ana’s Favorites:

Mad Men

Ah. Back to the sort of episode I love to hate. Don once again proves to be a chauvinistic pig by being completely unable to talk to Betty about his work. “You don’t need to worry about it”. Oh, yeah Don she is ONLY your wife, the mother of your children, why would she need to know anything about how you make your living. She is rightfully pissed off and tells him so and he just stomps off and decides to go drink driving and have a party with a couple he gives a lift to. I was so glad when they drugged and robbed him HA TAKE THAT DON DRAPER. Of course, Betty is not a saint, and is totally toying with the idea of cheating on him again. Peggy on the other hand, starts an affair with Duck Philips. Because THAT will end ok, of course. NOT.

Oh yes. And Cooper blackmails Don into finally signing a contract. Oh-la-la! I knew this would come back to haunt Don. Fate is a biatch, yo.

Castle:

Watching this show I truly do wonder what the NY police department think of the whole thing. It is very wrong of me that I was thoroughly entertained by the cops placing bets on who got to solve their respective cases first? I am sure it is. But I can’t help it: Nathan Fillion is so good as Castle and I love Beckett too. Plus how much do you love the lame one-liners? The case this week was pretty cool as well with a “Strangers in a Train” premise.

House:

YES. I was so relieved to see House is still doing therapy! Good for him and for continuity as well. The premise of this episode was to find something that House could do that would keep him away from the Vicodin addition: he quits his job, moves in with Wilson (OMG the cooking lesson was so much fun!) and…gets bored. OF COURSE, the one thing that will keep him sane is his work at the hospital! I am not generally a fan of Foreman so yeah, yawn for the whole “I am the boss, hear me roar” thing.

Dexter:

OH my beloved baby! You are back with a bang, aren’t you?

Lundy is back to chase a serial killer that has been on the loose for 30 years! If I were Debbie I would so ditch lameo Anton and hook up with…Quinn. He is HAWT dudes. And OH MY GOD, Laguerta and Angel are doing it! Go Batista! I love it.

Meanwhile , Dexter is adapting to fatherhood (hilarious) trying to keep up with work and the serial killing on the side, the question of this episode was: Can Dexter have it all? Oh yes he can. But first he needs to catch up with some much needed sleep before he…oh-oh too late! Dexter totally fraked up a case and got a serial killer on the loose but that is not a problem really, for super Dex is it? Unless of course, something happens and OMG, there is a car accident and Dexter has pieces of Benito Gomez in the trunk! *dies* Freaking cliffhangery ending!

Lie To Me

I love Tim Roth.

What? Do I need to say anything else about the show? Ok. I love watching this show because of the water cooler moments that ensue at Casa de Ana afterwards. Dear Partner LOVES the premise of the show and I am completely entertained by simply looking at him getting all excited about the micro-expressions thing. This particular episode was about a girl with Split Personality Syndrome. Dear Partner was fascinated with it and asked:

Him: Is this for real? Does that really exist?
Me: oh yes, I recently read a book by Stephen K..
Him: *interrupts* In REAL life?
Me: *mumble mumble* I don’t know.

The next morning:

Him: I had a horrible nightmare. *dejected* You had split personality and one of them was called Joy and was cheating on me with Angel
Me: DUDE, you have the BESTEST dreams ever.
Him: *the look*

The Middle

I had no huge expectations for this pilot but oh boy how I laughed in the end. I really enjoyed it. It is not necessarily original – I felt that both the narration and the characters were eerily familiar reminding me a lot of the antics and the awkwardness of Malcolm in the Middle. Especially the younger boy who was so so like Dewey! Still he was also my favourite character: his whispered words to himself was so freaking hilarious. Let’s see how it goes, I will tune in next week.

Glee

Confession time: I have a crush on Finn. Every time he has his puppy dog eyes, I just about swoon. He is too cute. Although he was not the nicest person in this episode and tried to use Rachel. Same goes for Will, sometimes it is difficult to judge why exactly he is directing the Glee Club but I loved how Emma called him out on that. The musical numbers were outstanding this week (yay, I loved seeing Olive from Pushing Daisies again!) especially Somebody to Love, a song I love! I missed Sue though.

On a more shallow note: I adore Rachel’s outfits.

Thea’s Favorites: (in chronological order)

MOVIE: Children of the Corn

Ok, this was on SyFy last saturday, and being the Stephen King fan that I am (and since I do love the SyFy channel and yes I do watch their movies sometimes don’t judge me) of course I recorded it. I liked the tension between Dualla (sorry, not sure what her real name is and she will always be BSG’s Dualla to me) and her ex-army husband…but it quickly got tiresome. Both characters are such selfish shits, you really can’t care for either of them (though to Dualla’s credit, she plays a mean bitch wonderfully). The camera work was TERRIBLE (gratuitous closeups accompanied by dramatic music), the acting wasn’t much better, and overall production value was pretty low – though better than I was expecting for a SyFy film. Then there were the KIDS. *facepalm* The little booger playing Isaac – he’s Cody from Dexter! – could barely get the lines out of his mouth, and hearing him stumble over the same “He Who Walks Behind the Rows” pagan drivel was painfully embarrassing. And not even slightly creepy. The kid who played Malachi was a bit better, but still awkward and un-scary. And unfortunately, the director of this remake seems to have no sense of how to build tension or fear and the result is uneven, cheesy, and…well, bad. Sigh. Of course it doesn’t hold a candle to the original ’80s film, but it’s not even in the same ballpark. Unfortunately.

Dexter: Living the Dream

AAAAAAAAA!!!!! Dexter is back! DEXTER IS BACK! I have rewatched season 3 no less than four times (GOD I love Miguel Prado), and FINALLY we are back, baby!!!!!! Speaking of babies, how about that little Harrison? He’s adorable, and I love the name. I loved the “sad music” and redo of the intro with Tired!Dexter. I like that Dexter is human, and for all his self control and compartmentalization, he is really running down.

Other OMG Moments: LaGuerta and Angel! EEEE! Jon Lithgow’s butt! EWWW! (Twice) The return of Lundy! And of course, that dramatic ending. Holy crap, where are the rest of Benny Gomez’s pieces!?

How much do I love you, Dexter? I am so glad you are back again. Although, I’m nervous this will turn into a season 2 repeat, where I’ll be frantic and near heart-attack status every episode.

Entourage

Aww, poor Drama with his emotional heart attacks! And I’m excited to see if Lloyd and Ari will make amends. I loved the one moment when Ari is about to yell “Lloyd!” but cuts off. Aww.

House

I have to agree with Ana that I’m not a huge Foreman fan. I’m even LESS of a Thirteen fan (seriously, what the fuck with the bisexuality thing already *eyes roll out of head* Can we be any less obvious with the attempt at ratings grubbing?!). But I liked this episode – I LOVED the moment at the end when House confesses he “slipped” (hehehehehehehe). Can we please have him back in the hospital now? PLEASE? Oh and I also agree with Ana re: the awesome cooking class scene, and how cool he and his therapist are together. And Cuddy is pretty. That is all.

Castle

The betting on who cracks their murder faster thing is a bit of a conflicting interest for police departments (especially when it could lead to sabotaging the other side’s case), but Castle pulls it off wonderfully. I love this fluffy, silly, hilarious fun show. And I’m hoping that Beckett looks into her mother’s death with Castle’s help! It seems we might be headed in that direction. Oh, and Castle’s daughter? She’s so cute.

Hell’s Kitchen

Yes, I watch this show. It’s really the most entertaining, ridiculous piece of reality TV. All of these chefs (with the exception of Dave, the guy with the broken arm) are AWFUL. Seriously, how hard can it be to make a risotto week in and week out? I watch Top Chef for the good stuff, but Hell’s Kitchen is just hilarious. And this week, that annoying chick Suzanne FINALLY got sent home. Now if we could only get Tennille (who looks and sounds like the illegitimate lovechild of Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Tucker) off.

Toddlers in Tiaras

Yes, I watch this show too. It’s terrifying. These little girls in their scary spray tans and mummified hairsprayed locks creep me out. But it’s really the mommies that terrify – in this episode, it was McKenzie’s mom with her wide-eyed soulsucking stare. (And on another note, who names their kid KRAGEN? Like the autoparts store? Sweet name.)

Glee

I think this is the first week where I’ve been kind of…meh, to Glee. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kristin Chenoweth and the girl can BLOW, but Rachel’s starting to get on my nerves. I’m glad she’s back in Glee Club, but come on, was there really any doubt before? Next week looks better, with the return of Sue. Oh, and I did like the version of Somebody To Love the kids sang, but the choreography with Finn and Rachel doing the arm out into the distance thing is getting old. New. Moves. Please.

The Office

Hilarious. As usual, The Office delivers. I LOVE that Jim is taken down a few notches and that he and Michael are friends – love that scene with the World’s Best Boss mugs!!! Awwwwww! Is it just me or is Oscar getting an uppity, sarcastic edge? And can it hurry up and be next week already for THE WEDDING!?? EEEE!

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Goddammit, Frank! Goddamnit! Love the over-the-top product placement for Dave & Busters and Coors in this episode, and the gang’s take on how the government and a “self-sustaining economy” works. Knives, vacuums, and crab sales. Sounds lucrative to me. LOL.

You may have noticed by now how much we love books and reading. What you probably don’t know is that we love TV shows about just as much. We are both huge couch potatoes and each of us follow quite a few shows each. So, we thought why not a new feature, in which we talk about all those water cooler moments of the past week’s episodes, raving about the good, ranting about the bad?

Thus On The Boob Tube With The Book Smugglers was born:

This Saturday, and every Saturday for the duration of the TV season, we bring you a brand spankin’ new feature:

(don’t we love the banner that Kmont created for us? Yes, do. Yes.We.Do)

For the Week of September 20 – 26:

Thea’s Favorites:

Entourage: Lloyd’s Speech to Drama
Entourage is a show completely devoid of depth or emotional intelligence, and the way women are portrayed on the show is ridiculous (case in point: Ashley. OF COURSE the way out of that relationship is to make her CRAZY! God forbid she actually just doesn’t want to be with Eric), but it’s fun too. Lloyd’s speech to keep Drama, because he believes in you Johnny Drama!, was awesome.

House: Superman, Infidelity, the RAP
House’s two hour season premiere was freaking awesome. It was different than anything we’ve seen on the show before, and I love that there are consequences for House, and that he’s completely clean. His “mentorship” to his talkative and idolizing roommate, when he takes “Superman” out to get him happy, the whole hot german lady thing, the cool friendship between House and his doctor (and the others in the asylum) and of course, the talent show rap…it was all awesome. House is changed. And I think it’s a very good – much NEEDED! – thing. I actually stopped watching House consistently because the repetitiveness was getting boring…but the looney bin brought me back, and I’m stoked to see what happens this season. (And if the promos are any accurate measure, it looks like we’re in for some ch-ch-ch-changes)

Castle: The Apology
I love Castle. Yeah, it’s cheesy and completely unrealistic – but that’s all part of its charm. And Nathan Fillion is at his charming, hilarious best in the season opener. I loved the poker game, Beckitt’s horrible Russian accent, and ultimately, Castle’s Apology. Because girls sometimes just want to hear you cut the bullshit and just say SORRY. I love the duo of Castle and Beckitt. LOVE.

Modern Family: Hey, they’re one big family!
So far, Modern Family seems like it will be a fun, funny show. I liked how it all came together in the end, with this big, strange, and well…modern, family. Al Bundy for the win!

Glee: Tina, Less Rachel, Football, and DRAMA
Glee is my favorite new show right now (not really much of a contest there), and this week’s episode was surprisingly touching and dramatic. I’m really over the Ring on It song (why is this song having a resurgence all of a sudden??? Please don’t say because of Kanye. Please.), but I loved Kurt in this episode, coming up big for the football team, the dancing on the line of scrimmage, the admission that Kurt is gay to his father. And holy crap, how much do you hate the cheerleader bitch and Will’s wife? GAAH! Also, liked Will standing up for Tina and giving her the West Side Story solo over Rachel. I love Rachel’s character, but others need a chance to shine too, right?

FlashForward: Meh

The pilot for FlashForward was basically what the promos have advertised. The CG was pretty bad, I thought!? Am I alone in this? The burning buildings of downtown LA looked pretty low quality, but maybe that’s just me being a snob. Joseph Fiennes, aka Ralph’s bro and the dude who played Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love, does a pretty good American accent, though he’s really hamming it up in the episode. Meh. Like Penny from LOST as his wife (when she was having her FF and said she was with another man whom she’d never seen before, I was SOOOOO hoping it would be Desmond saying to her “I told you I’d find you, Penny!” LOLOLOLOL no? Ok. I’m a dork). My concern for the show is, what exactly is its endgame?? This is based on a book, and once the characters all figure out what exactly happened…then what? It’s like Twin Peaks – once you know who killed Laura Palmer, it’s all over. We’ll see.

The Office: DWIGHT
Ohmygod this episode was HILARIOUS! The cheese platter, Toby and Dwight teaming up to investigate Darryl’s worker’s comp. claim, Darryl’s SISTER!, Michael betraying Jim but then getting his back…and best of all, DWIGHT’S FACE AT THE END!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This show is so. freaking. brilliant.

Community: Senor Chang & Mr. Chase
I can’t help but feel like Joel McHale is a giant douchebag in real life. Maybe that’s not fair, but he gives off a totally douchey vibe, reinforced by his character in Community. But hey, I genuinely loved it when he got up to present that ‘vaguely homophobic, anti-Israel’ spanish presentation with Chevy Chase. And Senor Chang, el chino tigre! Even though his speech is one we’ve seen on countless promos, he cracks me the eff up. Awesome.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Road Trip!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This episode more than makes up for the slightly disappointing season opener. HILARIOUS. The Italian Market with “Gypsies” all over the place, Charlie never having eaten a pear and then eating the whole thing (stem, stickers included), Sweet Dee getting wasted and staring, singing to the poor hitchhiker, telling him the gay porn he’s gonna have to do to make it in Hollywood with his sweet young body (LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL)…oh my god it’s beautiful. The gang of COURSE makes it back right to where they started, and what better way to start out the day than with a few more beers? I love this show so much.

Ana’s Favorites:

Mad Men: Joan and her husband. Don’s mad skillz, the chopped foot

This show drives me mental but this last episode was not so out there. Or maybe I am finally getting used to it. Then again, maybe not because I felt positively murderous towards Joan’s scumbag of a husband. She is awesome but it is so sad that she is saddled up with that one. I loved Don’s meeting with Conrad Hilton as he had another chance to show off his mad marketing skills. But not as much as I loved how Don stepped up to take care of his daughter’s fears – he is starting to become a real father, perhaps (because honestly how much does Betty suck as a mother?) . Best moment of the episode though goes to that scene where the British guy from the main office gets his foot chopped off and blood splutters all over the place. That was so awesome.

Castle: the apology

I love this show: as Thea says it is completely cheesy and unrealistic but it is impossible not to love it. I adore Castle but really this episode was all about Beckitt – her inability to deal with the way Castle dealt with her secret; the Russian accent and finally the amazing final scene where she lays bare her soul. And then he comes back just to say “I am sorry”. I had a huge smile on face after that. I am SO on board of this ship.

House: the entire freaking episode.

House keeps surprising me. Every time I think I am done with the show, they pull me right back in by subverting their very formula and it works every single time. After an spectacular season finale I was a bit worried that they would drop the ball, but honestly within the first 3 minutes of this episode I was hailing Hugh Laurie as a God of Acting once again. I started to cry and cried many times before the episode was over. I did think some things over the top and perhaps maybe too easy but ultimately it was all worth so that I could hear House saying : “I need help”. Now he is clean, I want to see how he deals with life. I hope he continues with therapy though, I loved his interactions with his doctor.

Glee: “Sue “C” s it” and Teenage Drama

When I started watching Glee I thought it was going to be all fruity loopsy with all the dancing and singing. But soon it was clear that some Major Drama would be part of it too. From Will’s marital problems to each of the kid’s issues. This episode sees Finn finding out that his girlfriend is pregnant and Kurt coming out to his father and the repercussions of those made for some great tv. I freaking hate the Cheerleader Girlfriend and Will’s wife. Really. They simply can not get away with what they are planning. Now, my favorite character has to be Coach Sue , OMG how wrong is that woman? I love her TV spot though, I was laughing so hard.

Supernatural – a rant

Ok, so does anyone else finds it completely stupid and moronic that San and Dean decided to take some time off each other right now, you know with the perky business of IMPENDING APOCALYPSE and all that jazz? I am not really a fan of this whole story arc anyway (I much preffered the Monster of the Week style episodes) but this is just plain silly. Sam is doing my head in with all his woe- is-me persona. I know, I know what else is new right? But hey, at least the Dean and Castiel dynamics worked and my heart did a little bit of breaking when Dean said that he was happy without Sam. And then Lucifer shows up and tells Sam that he is his true vessel and I was all like Oh noes. Really? Whyyyyyyyyyy?

Favourite Dean-One-Liner: “You were wasted by a Teenage Mutant Ninja Angel?” (because Cas was killed by the archangel Raphael).

The Office – the entire episode

From the opening with Michael asking Oscar if he needed to have a safe word for his colonoscopy, to Dwight and Toby’s antics, to Jim’s heartbreaking moment with Michael (aww he didn’t want to lose the Jim, Pam and the baby) to the ending with Dwight going mental over Jim’s promotion. This was another winner. I have much fun with The Office.

Community – Senor Chang

Meh. I am not sure I want to keep watching this to be honest. I think this show TRIES to be quirky and “wrong” like the Office but hummm..it is not really succeeding so far. I do like the Indian guy though the Chinese teacher who teaches Spanish was hilarious. But yeah, I think I will watch another week , then make my mind up.

And that is all from us this week. What about you? Any favorite TV moments you wanna share?