Recap

There are many Survivor episodes where the outcome is predictable, and it’s fairly easy to describe what just happened. Those are the norm because players rarely stray from the safest move to go forward. Living in a different universe are the outliers that leave even the most able-minded fan yelling “what just happened?” This week is one of those wonderful episodes. Malcolm overplays his hand and seems destined to go home, but a desperate play to get Reynold’s idol keeps him safe. What he doesn’t know is that he isn’t getting any votes. Worried about her own security, Andrea leads the charge for a safer plan and gets the majority to take out Michael.

Survivor: Caramoan Review, Season 26, Episode 8 “Blindside Time” Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (ET) on CBS Brilliant. Thrilling. There isn’t enough hyperbole to describe the excitement of this week’s episode. It provides a clear reminder of why Survivor continues to shine. The editing has been promising a showdown between Phillip and Corinne for weeks, and she …

The Amazing Race Review, Season 22, Episode 7 “Be Safe and Don’t Hit a Cow” Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on CBS In some of its best seasons, Survivor thrives on making its strong competitors look silly. Players talk about being in control and running the show, then they’re immediately booted by the “weaker” contestants. This trend rarely …

The Amazing Race Review, Season 22, Episode 2 “Loose Lips Sink Ships” Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on CBS When did taking the penalty become so common on The Amazing Race? Two episodes into this season, players seem very interested in avoiding tasks. Idries and Jamil barely slip into the water and they’re ready to …

Fringe, Season 5, Episode 2: “In Absentia” Written by David Fury Directed by Jeannot Szwarc Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on FOX This week, on Fringe: Etta does some questioning, Peter goes undercover, and Walter carves up an eye After last week’s tense, action-filled premiere, things slow down a bit with “In Absentia”. We pick …

Grimm, Season 2, Episode 6: “Over My Dead Body” Written by Spiro Skentzos Directed by Rob Bailey Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on NBC This week is couples night on Grimm. Juliette and Nick seem to be making some headway on repairing their relationship. Monroe and Rosalee similarly meet up for an intimate dinner a …

Doctor Who, Series 7, Episode 5: “The Angels Take Manhattan” Written by Steven Moffat Directed by Nick Hurran Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on BBC America This week, on Doctor Who: River’s a pulp heroine, Amy and Rory are an old married couple, and the Doctor’s, once again, alone The Weeping Angels are one of …

Sons of Anarchy Season 5, Episode 3: “Laying Pipe” Written by Kurt Sutter Directed by Adam Arkin Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on FX Guess last week truly was the calm before the storm. Right when Sutter has you thinking that he doesn‘t have it in him to send one of his leads down the …

NCIS, Season 10, Episode 1: “Extreme Prejudice” Written by Gary Glasberg Directed by Tony Wharmby Airs Tuesdays at 8pm (ET) on CBS A bomb blast has wreaked havoc on the U.S. Navy Yard. The premiere opens right where the show left off last season. Doctor Mallard, who was last seen suffering from a heart attack …

Doctor Who, Series 7, Episode 4: “The Power of Three” Written by Chris Chibnall Directed by Douglas Mackinnon Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on BBC America This week, on Doctor Who: Amy and Rory contemplate their lives while monitoring a slow invasion of small black cubes. Chris Chibnall continues his good work on Doctor Who, …

Sons of Anarchy Season 5, Episode 2: “Authority Vested“ Written by Kurt Sutter Directed by Peter Weller Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (ET) on FX If last week‘s episode kicked right into high gear, with shoot-outs, gruesome murders, and threats posed from all sides, this week’s episode plays out in neutral, with the storyline idling to …

Hell on Wheels, Season 2 Episode 6: “Purged Away with Blood” Written by Tony Gayton and Tom Brady Directed by Joe Gayton Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC “What I got Doc, is a whole lotta heartache”, Eva (Robin McLeavy) tells Doc early in this week’s episode of Hell on Wheels, “Purged Away …

Sons of Anarchy Season 5, Episode 1: “Sovereign“ Written by Kurt Sutter Directed by Paris Barclay Airs Tuesdays at 10pm ET on FX Jax (Charlie Hunnam) is at the gavel, vendettas are all around SAMCRO, the Niners are under the cold, hard reign of promising new villain Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau), and there’s a new …

Boss Season 2, Episode 5: “Mania” Written by Kevin J. Hynes Directed by Jean de Segonzac Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on Starz As “Mania” shows us this week, it’s when Boss strips its cast and plotlines down to an essential few that it truly gains momentum. The preceding episodes had a tough job to …

Revolution, Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot” Written by Eric Kripke Directed by Jon Favreau Airs Mondays at 10pm ET on NBC (starting 9/17) Revolution’s first episode is a must-see introduction to a well-crafted post-apocalyptic world.  Many critics and San Diego ComicCon attendees have ranked it as one of the best of this year’s television crop …

Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 5, “The Railroad Job” Written by Mark Richard Directed by Michael Nankin Airs Sunday at 9 pm (ET) on AMC I think it’s safe to assume that by this point Cullen (Anson Mount) has his fair share of ghosts. This week’s “The Railroad Job” opens with the ex-Confederate soldiers …

Boss Season 2, Episode 4: “Redemption” Written by Julie Hébert Directed by Phil Abraham Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on Starz Perhaps there’s no better way to evoke sympathy for a character than to have his newfound sense of good doubted by those closest to him. There’ll be no sympathy without the viewers’ trust in Kane’s motives, though, …

Doctor Who, Series 7, Episode 2: “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” Written by Chris Chibnall Directed by Saul Metzstein Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on BBC America This week, on Doctor Who: The Doctor recruits a gang, including a Big Game hunter, Amy, Rory, Rory’s dad Brian, and Queen Nefertiti, to investigate a mysterious spaceship set …

Boss Season 2, Episode 3: “Ablution” Written by Angelina Burnett Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on Starz Having ironed out some of its stylistic creases already this season, Boss returns, thematically focused and strong, this week, and the moves “Ablution” makes serve its equally focused title well. Spring is here …

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 …

Boss, Season 2, Episode 1: “Louder than Words” Written by Dee Johnson Directed by Jim McKay Boss, Season 2, Episode 2: “Through and Through” Written by Bradford Winters Directed by Jean de Segonzac Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on Starz Boss is back on our screens with a confident, clear renewal of its grand themes …

Doctor Who, Series 7, Episode 1: “Asylum of the Daleks” Written by Steven Moffat Directed by Nick Hurran Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on BBC America This week, on Doctor Who: The Daleks hijack the Doctor, Amy, and Rory to save them from their most crazed brethren. I have a confession to make. I don’t …

Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 3: “Slaughterhouse” Written by Jami O’Brien and Bruce Romans Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC Well, that certainly lived up to the name “Slaughterhouse”. Returning to the Hell on Wheels camp after being saved from hanging by Durant (Colm Meaney), Cullen (Anson Mount) …