TV shows to watch

I am extremely behind in updating about shows, and quite frankly, at this point, it's not worth putting up a recap on an episode that aired 2-3weeks ago. So instead, I'm dedicating this post to a list of tv shows that people should watch and the reasons why. Some shows are already popular, some aren't, it's just a list of shows I think are quality and worth watching to get another season in (in the midst of cancellation season...RIP Undercovers).

Mondays:

Chuck: I've said it before, and I'll say it again, more people need to watch this show to ensure that it continues for several more seasons. Every season finale there's an amazing twist that sets the tone for the next season (regardless of whether or not another season is imminent), and it perfectly balances comedy, action, and drama. And it had an Alias reference in it's last episode!

Castle: Not in any big danger of being cancelled next season, it's just a fun, comedy mystery show to watch, not for the "clever" mysteries, but for the interaction between all the characters. I know Nathan Fillion is technically the star, but this is more of an ensemble show.

Tuesdays:

(Glee is being left out because it's already a ginormous hit, and everyone and their mothers know about it)

The Good Wife: An amazing series set in Chicago (bonus point!) that earned Julianna Margulies an Emmy nomination, it's compelling drama with no clear cut "bad guy," which just makes it that much more realistic. I usually look to tv to escape reality, but I make an exception for this show.

Parenthood: A small show that doesn't quite have the numbers yet, but it's an endearing family drama that (unfortunately) airs at the same time as The Good Wife. Luckily, you can find it on Hulu. It takes a few episodes to get into it, but you start to care about the characters once you see their quirks.

Wednesdays:

Modern Family: Emmy winning hilarity. The half hour, comedic version of Parenthood. Not much needed to be said about it, I think everyone knows about this show.

Cougar Town: Stay tuned after Modern Family! This week's episode was absolutely hilarious, especially the last 20sec, and it's episodes like this one that just makes me love the series. Consistent running jokes, pop culture references, and mean but lovable characters, it's crazy hijinks every week.

Thursdays:

Nikita: Just got picked up for a full season, this show is not up to its full potential. But at least its got plenty of potential to fill, which is all the more reason to watch this show and get it renewed for a few more seasons. Nothing like secret government divisions to give us twists and turns at the end of almost every episode.

Burn Notice: On USA, this series comes back next week, and if you want hot action (both literally and figuratively, as the series takes place in Miami), tune into this USA gold mine. I'm not sure if any of it is true, but the voice over alone that give us a glimpse into spy tricks of the trade make this series fun to watch, but add an alcohol loving Bruce Campbell, and it's hard for this series to do any wrong.

TV Shows 10/4-9

So not much updating happened last week. To try to keep things current, I'm going to put in a few lines about the various shows I watched last week.

Chuck (S4 Ep3): Past guest stars return! Nicole Richie and Steve Austin return to reprise their roles, this time Nicole Richie being a bitch who ends up teaming up with Team Bartowski for survival. Not the world's best episode of Chuck, but a solid showing from one of the most under-appreciated comedy spy series (Veronica Mars being the winner of that category).

Castle (S3 Ep3): A treasure map! A murder! An old crush! A priest! (not the same person as the old crush) This episode was awesome. I love this show so much, sometimes it's embarassing. Favorite moment of the episode: Beckett seemingly pours her heart out to her old crush on the phone, hangs up the phone, turns to Ryan and Esposito, and asks, "Did I keep him on long enough?" to which Ryan eloquently responds, "uhhhh..." in that perfect, awkward tone combined with a stunned expression with what he just overheard. Seriously, comedy gold.

Hawaii 5-O (S1 Ep3): I'm still trying hard to like this show. It has its high moments, but some of the dialogue is just so hard to get over. This episode tackled the ever serious topic of a gang war happening on the happy island, with a gambling mob twist. I'll probably keep watching it out of sheer hope and loyalty to my Asian race (I've never seen so many Asians cast as just plain, ol' side characters), but it's getting harder to stomach, mainly because of Steve McGarrett's holier-than-thou character. I need my characters flawed!

Undercovers (S1 Ep3): Speaking of needing flawed characters, this gorgeous couple is too perfect, both in looks, and in their marriage. Sure, they have the little squabble here and there during each episode, but it gets resolved so neatly, it's hard to believe. The episode revolved around technology, and the need to recover a device that is able to break the code to the CIA's database. This series is starting to be more fluff than serious spy business, but hey, at least they're pretty.

Nikita (S1 Ep5): See previous post for general review. This episode has guest star Devon Sawa (who is surprisingly hot...I didn't recognize him) playing Owen Elliot, who will apparently be back next week (yummy). One of Percy's infamous black box also makes an appearance, and I rather enjoyed Michael's reaction when Percy says to Nikita over the phone that he has her boyfriend (referring to Owen). Alex and Thom also have a moment that just makes Thom even more adorable than he already is.

Supernatural (S6 Ep3): Castiel is back! The strongest episode of the season so far, probably because of the return of said angel. No revisit of old baddies, and pretty much a standalone episode, this episode harkens back to the good old days of the first few seasons. Reasons to watch this episode: Sam, half naked, working out (Sssssss, I think the screen is burning up a little from the hotness); Castiel's line "[to Sam] Dean and I do share a more profound bond...[to Dean] I wasn't gonna mention it..."; the return of Metallicar and the destruction of Sam's poser car. Really, I hope the series continues in this vein, because this is the first episode I've enjoyed in a while.

So that's the summary of a few of last week's tv. Comment away, if you so choose...

Castle, Season 3 Episode 2

Monday's are a good day for me. I get my Chuck AND my Castle. Two shows heavy on the comedy and wit, with a little bit of action and/or mystery thrown in.

For those who have never seen it, Castle is a series that follows an author (Rick Castle, played by one Mr. Nathan Fillion) who shadows/helps detectives as a means of finding creative fodder for his writing. The premise seems odd, but once you've gotten over the contrived situation, it's really very entertaining. I've heard it be compared to Murder, She Wrote, but since I never watched it, I can't guarantee the comparison. And really, the series does a good job summarizing the situation in its 30 second opening blurb before every episode.

In this week's episode, the crime fighting team finds itself investigating the murder of a psychic. Now, personally, I never like any episodes that deal with psychics, mainly because unless the show is House and firmly rooted in cynicism, you can always bet that there are some parts left unknown, to add to the mystery that is the "other realm." This prejudice aside, it's a solid, standard Castle episode, with camaraderie between the cast (Esposito and Ryan have a true bromance without the gay overtones always seen Scrubs), and barbs being exchanged between Castle and Beckett. Not prominently featured in this episode is Alexis, Castle's daughter, and the most mature person out of the Castle family. For once, a teenager who isn't super annoying on tv. Miracle!

In case you haven't noticed, I tend to like the lighter tv series, so that fact alone should suggest that this show would be entertaining. Watch it, not for the mystery of the week (which thankfully is only one a week, no overarching, long term storyline that makes it difficult to follow), but for the hilarity of Nathan Fillion/Rick Castle.