JackDavenport-related stories
Posted Nov 13th 2009 1:20AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E08) You mean I'm going to have to start paying attention to this show? What do they think they are ...
Lost or something? Yes, I made sure to mention
Lost in my article about
FlashForward, and yes I did it because I know it bothers some of you. I'm a bastard that way.
There was a lot of forward motion in a lot of important ways. Last week's Al-dying, Tracy-returning finale was a huge set-up for the next few weeks' worth of story. As expected, Al's death became big news when Celia went public with the letter he'd sent to her (so I guess that means the FBI found her?). But it was Tracy's return that added layers to the complex onion we're trying to peel here.
In the middle of it all, we got to contemplate the significance of what bra Olivia might choose to wear in the future. See, everything's important!
Continue reading Review: FlashForward - Playing Cards With Coyote
Posted Oct 30th 2009 8:31AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E06) Some big revelations this week, both in the flashforwards case, as well as in the situation at the Benford household. In fact, it was at the Benford household that it went down. I was also very proud of the writers for choosing a more challenging route for Mark's character than the tired cliches we've come to expect.
We also got the first encounter between Lloyd Simcoe's son and the Benford daughter, Charlie, and so many things became more clear. A couple more flashforwards to round out the hour and I'm still happy with the series.
And speaking of Charlies, those who've been waiting all season for Dominic Monaghan to finally get down and dirty as a series regular on this little show need wait no loner. His name was even right there in the opening credits under 'Starring.'
Continue reading Review: FlashForward - Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
Posted Oct 23rd 2009 4:02AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps, FlashForward
(S01E05) FlashForward took us to Washington, DC to see the political ramifications of the blackouts, as well as some of the maneuverings that the city is made of, at least in this reality. Also in this reality, Peter Coyote is President. I've always liked him, and I like how he plays the characters as a very regular and relatable guy.
We were introduced to a new character in Senator Joyce Clemente (Barbara Williams), and she's definitely set up to be a major thorn in the side of the ongoing investigation. There was always something a little wacky about the LA office taking Mark's vision and building an entire investigative force around it just because they felt like it. And now, they have to face the music and justify their very existence.
It made for some pretty intense television. That and the bullets flying at the heads of our intrepid heroes.
Continue reading Review: FlashForward - Gimme Some Truth
Posted Oct 16th 2009 1:25AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E04) Any time we can go back and look at the blackout itself, I'm interested. But the use of an idyllic park scene and Björk's "It's Oh So Quiet" created an almost peaceful panorama -- until a bus drove into the lake, nearly missing someone lying nearby. Throughout the entire opening sequence, though, the scenes of serenity and death melded flawlessly with the song.
It was a great opening reminder of the event that put the entire series into motion, as well as an introduction to Ned. Ned is Dr. Benford's patient this week, who helps her come to terms with her own feelings about the flashforwards. He's also the calmest and most collected guy you could ever meet. But there's a reason for that.
What might be the most important thing for some people still on the fence about this show, Dominic Monaghan (
Lost) finally showed up this week. As expected, he's going to be playing a pretty damned important role in the series. His introduction created a relationship with one of our main characters that I absolutely didn't see coming.
Continue reading FlashForward: Black Swan
Posted Oct 9th 2009 4:20AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E03) I hope that the way tonight's episode was constructed isn't going to continue week after week. It's like they've mastered the big "wow" moment at the end of each episode, but there was a serious lag throughout most of this week's installment. We did get some more clues and hints to the futures of more of our cast, including Demetri's fiance's vision.
Unfortunately, I don't think her vision was as conclusive as the previews of that moment would have lead us to believe. We've got the fiance, Zoey, saying that she saw Demetri at their wedding on a beach while there's the strange woman (what city was that she was in) telling him she read a report that he got gunned down three times. But why could she say no more and why did she have to go so abruptly?
All those little moments throughout the episode were good. It kept me thinking and trying to remember everything we already know as I piece together this April 29 puzzle. What was less compelling was everything with the octogenarian Nazi.
Continue reading FlashForward: 137 Sekunden
Posted Oct 2nd 2009 1:20AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E02) I'm still trying to figure out what exactly is going to be happening at the Benford household the night of April 29, 2010. We got some more hints, but it's still not coming completely together. Particularly, I want to know what Charlie saw, but then I guess so does everyone at this point.
I guess Lloyd and Dylan Simcoe are set to become important and significant members of the cast. We already know that it's Lloyd in Olivia's vision that she has feelings for. It explains some of what's going on there, but not everything.
Weirdly, I spent more time trying to wrap my brain around the logistics of that than I did the mystery of D. Gibbons. At least until that final conversation in the Benford household. Oh, and I have a new expression for when I'm being bad and eating things I shouldn't. "I'm going to go log these cupcakes into evidence."
Continue reading FlashForward: White to Play
Posted Sep 25th 2009 1:50AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E01) Well, that was it. The most eagerly anticipated premiere of the season, if early buzz is any indicator. Is it the next
Lost? Is it as good as everyone says it was? It can be. As much as I liked this pilot, though, I can't say that I know for sure how good the show is going to be based on it.
The opening sequence was every bit as epic and awe-inspiring as the opening moments of
Lost. Whereas in
Lost we had the aftermath of a cataclysmic plane crash on a deserted island, here we had the cataclysmic crash of ... everything! They dropped us right into the moments after the global blackout to immediately show us the impact it would have. It was like the opening of a big budget summer blockbuster.
Continue reading FlashForward: No More Good Days (series premiere)
Posted Dec 2nd 2008 11:13AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Programming, OpEd, Heroes, Casting, Reality-Free, Fringe
When exactly did we start lusting after sci-fi mystery shows with such a vengeance? That's the question I'm asking myself after reading
the news about ABC's Flash Forward, a drama pilot starring Courtney B. Vance (pictured) and Jack Davenport.
The show is based on
Robert J. Sawyer's sci-fi novel and follows the chaos that ensues after everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Oh, and everyone has a mysterious vision of the future that changes their lives forever.
See, I'm the perfect viewer for this show, because I'm already formulating ideas about what might have caused the chaos (aliens in a time-warp) and what the vision of the future means (aliens cross-breeding with humans). I love these kinds of weird-mystery shows where you have to figure out what's going on and what it all means.
Continue reading Flash Forward to accompany Lost?
Posted Jun 20th 2008 11:41AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
(S01E03) Consider this episode of
Swingtown a case of being betwixt and between. The Millers have been in their new home all of two weeks and so much has happened to shake their foundation; Susan especially seems like the song "caught in the middle with you." Does she want to be the good wife going to church and being satisfied with the way they were, her and Bruce, back in the old neighborhood? Or is she ready to embrace swinging?
She's at first drawn back to Janet and Roger and the old ways. Because she's still perturbed by the business card she found in Bruce's pants from the Playboy Club, the one from Sylvia suggesting a get together, Susan drags her family to Sunday services for a little God-time. Impulsively, when chatting with Janet, Susan announces that she's having a housewarming and wants Janet's help. It's like she's clinging to a simpler past.
Continue reading Swingtown: Double Exposure
Posted Mar 5th 2008 3:03PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Industry, Pickups and Renewals, WGA Strike
Way back in July 2007, TV Squad wrote about
a bunch of shows CBS previewed and were slating for the upcoming season, including
Swingtown. It was supposed to premiere in mid-season, but then mid-season came and it was nowhere to be found. The network will announce today their plans for the serial drama;
it's going to run this summer. Instead of taking that move as a lack of faith in the show, executive producer Carol Barbee told
The Hollywood Reporter that a summer run creatively suits the project. "A summer launch is perfect for
Swingtown since the pilot takes place on the Bicentennial Fourth of July," Barbee said. Barbee has most recently been working on
Jericho.Continue reading CBS gives Swingtown a whirl
Posted May 16th 2007 10:48AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Industry, Programming, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother, Jericho, Shark, Upfronts
CBS is on a good run, being the most watched network for the last five years, but they have taken a bit of heat for the formulaic way they have gone about doing it. Not arguing with success, the whole family of CSIs, and their crime based cousins, will be back, but the network is trying to branch out with some edgier programming. Most notably,
Swingtown, Viva Laughlin, and
Moonlight.Returning: The Amazing Race, Cold Case, 60 Minutes, How I Met Your Mother, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, CSI: Miami, NCIS, The Unit, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, Survivor, CSI, Shark, Without A Trace, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, 48 Hours Mystery.
New: Viva Laughlin, Swingtown, Moonlight, Cane, Big Bang Theory, Power of 10, Kid NationOut: King of Queens, Jericho, The Class, Close To HomeMoving: Without A Trace moves back to Thursday at 10.
Shark heads to Sunday at 10.
Continue reading The Upfronts: CBS
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Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
