One of the surprises of the 2012-2013 television season has been the NBC show Hannibal. Initially decried by many as another serial killer show in the television season, the show nonetheless had some intrigued by the selection of Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me creator Bryan Fuller as its showrunner, and the casting of acclaimed actor …
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 20: “The Dark Tower” Written by Eric Kripke and Paul Grellong Directed by Charles Beeson Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC With the second half of Revolution’s first season focusing on The Tower that could turn on the power for the world at large, the leadup to this week’s …
It’s clearer than ever that Revolution wants to be The Walking Dead. While it can match the apocalyptic AMC series on the maudlin interpersonal drama stakes, it will never be quite as pulpy or as gore-filled as the zombie show. It feels like NBC’s pushing the limits on what some may perceive an acceptable level of viscera for a network series, between the somewhat graphic mending of Rachel’s leg in “The Longest Day” and the blood splattering everywhere when someone is hit with the electromagnetic grenades this time around.
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 18: “Clue” Written by Paul Grellong and Oanh Ly Directed by Helen Shaver Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC Off the bat, we can probably discount Nora as the Militia’s mole. Director Shaver goes a little further in depicting torture in times of war than you might expect from …
Smash, Season 2, Episode 15: “The Transfer” Written by: Justin Brenneman and Julia Brownell Directed by: Holly Dale Airs Saturdays at 8pm (ET) on NBC As we hurdle down the final stretch of this season’s Smash NBC announced over the weekend that this would be the last season. This was an announcement we all could …
A recurring theme in Hannibal’s first three episodes has been an exploration of how getting into the mindset of serial killers affects Will, as he is unable to slip out as easily as he slips in, something that is beginning to take its toll on him. Each case that Will has taken on has chipped away at his psyche a bit more, and while Dr. Lecter is ostensibly helping Will retain his sanity, the psychologist clearly has another plan in mind. The toll that working with the FBI is having on Will’s sanity is further explored this week, in another atmospherically scary episode that gives the audience a look at the life of Jack Crawford.
While Revolution’s entire run to date has focused on the Monroe Republic, details have indicated that the collapse of the government following the loss of power led to numerous rogue factions taking control of various parts of the former United States, with Monroe and Miles only getting one part of it. The prospect of seeing how the other areas were ruled, and how the people in other parts of the country had coped with the loss of power, has thus been a very intriguing one, and it is this idea that the show explores this week, in an episode that opens up some intriguing new avenues for the show to explore.
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 11: “The Stand” Written by Anne Cofell Saunders and Paul Grellong Directed by Steve Boyum Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC Coming back from a four-month hiatus is not easy for any show, and is doubly difficult for a first-season show that has yet to develop a strong loyal …
Smash, Season 2, Episode 7: “Musical Chairs” Written by: Becky Mode Directed by: Casey Nicholaw Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on NBC Yes Smash fans, unfortunately the end is near. NBC ‘s decision to move the show to the television graveyard that is Saturday night puts the final nail in the coffin for Smash. As disappointing …
Smash, Season 2, Episode 6: “The Fringe” Written by: Julia Brownell Directed by: Dan Lerner Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on NBC Sometimes when approaching a new episode of Smash, it’s difficult not to think, “Not this again.” It’s not entirely terrible (okay well it’s a lot terrible); there are a lot of redeeming factors about …
When Homicide: Life on the Street premiered in January 1993 after the Super Bowl, it leaped into a different world than the standard hour-long dramas. There were a few exceptions like Hill Street Blues that provided an inspiration, but Creators Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana were entering uncharted territory. The cast lacks the typical pretty …
Over four seasons, one show that initially flew under the radar but has been steadily gaining critical and commercial acclaim is the NBC show Parenthood. With the 1989 Ron Howard film namesake serving as a loose inspiration, the story of the numerous members of the Braverman family has quietly become one of the more critically …
Television writer and show creator Ryan Murphy first came to the attention of television viewing audiences with the plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck. It is, however, with the Fox superhit Glee that he rose to prominence, quickly following it with American Horror Story and his latest series, The New Normal. Following the lives of a gay couple, their surrogate baby’s …
One of the breakout hits of the fall 2012 television season was the NBC drama Revolution. Boasting the backing of television juggernaut JJ Abrams and Supernatural creator and ex-showrunner Eric Kripke’s creative input, the show examining an America where the power seems to have permanently died out, the show soon revealed there was more to …
Smash, Season 2, Episode 5: “The Read- Through” Written by: Liz Tuccillo Directed by: David Petrarca Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on NBC The outcome of the recent changes made to Smash seems to have slowed it down to a snail’s pace. Last night’s episode was so boring it was easy to find an …
Smash, Season 2, Episode 4: “The Song” Written by: Bathsheba Doran Directed by: Michael Morris Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on NBC Welcome to the Jennifer Hudson hour. Oops, I totally meant Smash. It is difficult not to pick on the news kids in class, and Jennifer Hudson does it make it easy because she …
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 9: “Kashmir” Written by Charles Beeson Directed by Jim Barnes Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC There’s a massive problem in “Kashmir” which derails the main premise of the train-tunnel-set episode. Having the central characters hallucinate over a lack of air is one thing, but to do it in …
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 8: “Ties That Bind” Written by David Rambo and Melissa Glenn Directed by Guy Norman Bee Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC Since Rachel told Monroe about the pendants that turn the power back on, the latter has been on an active hunt to find them. With his seemingly …
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 6: “Sex and Drugs” Written by David Rambo Directed by Steve Boyum Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC While some people like to view what kind of scenarios would trigger an apocalypse and the collapse of civilization, others find the ensuing breakdown and re-adjustment of society, and how particular …
Revolution, Season 1, Episode 4: “The Plague Dogs” Written by Anne Cofell Saunders Directed by Felix Alcala Airs Mondays at 10 pm (ET) on NBC Lawless anarchy in the world that Revolution has established is to be expected, and the show hasn’t hesitated on that front, as every episode has seen at least one death. Most of the …
Grimm, Season 2, Episode 4: “Quill” Written by David Simkins Directed by David Straiton Airs Mondays at 10pm ET on NBC (Fridays at 9pm ET starting 9/28) This week on Grimm, a Wesen plague hits Portland, Monroe woos Rosalee the old-fashioned way, Hank finds his footing in Grimm lore, and The Families are sending yet …
Grimm, Season 2, Episode 3: “Bad Moon Rising” Written by Richard Hatem Directed by David Solomon Airs Mondays at 10pm ET on NBC (Fridays at 9pm ET starting 9/14) This week, redneck Coyotls try to abduct/induct a new female into their pack, Juliette remembers everything but Nick, and Hank starts to lose it completely. This …
As my colleague Kate Kulzick pointed out last week, NBC has chosen to use the boost in ratings they’ve gained from their exclusive US airing of the 2012 Summer Olympics to try and give some of their new shows a running start. Among the crowd that they’re hoping gains, and retains, an audience from the …