Friday, December 26, 2008

Midseason TV report (Tuesday)

House: While the show still doesn't feel the same with these new doctors, things are slowly improving. I'm at least to the point where I accept them as House's new team, even if I still don't like them as much as the original trio. When the episodes are straightforward cases, things are fine. What I don't like is when the episodes try and delve into these new doctors' personal lives. I liked the House/Wilson 'breakup' that began the season, but felt they could have done more with it. And as for the ongoing issue of Cuddy wanting a baby; how she finally got one was done in a too far-fetched and unrealistic manner. Ultimately the show remains about everyone's favorite cranky doc, and he remains as good as ever, which keeps me turning in every week.

Fringe: This is the only new show that I've watched, so it may not seem like much to say it's the best new show this season, but I am truly enjoying this show. It has a great combination of science fiction, cop drama, and comedy. I love all of the inventive fringe sciences that are explored each week on the show, like the episode where a group of bank robbers had figured out a way using sound waves to walk through walls. The other strength of the show is the cast. Usually it takes a season or two before a cast really gels together, but the actors on this show banter with each other like they've been working with each other for years. Given that J.J. Abrams is behind the show, there is some mythology here, but it's not too deep yet that you couldn't start watching this show now and pick up what's going on. They do a good job of still making each episode as self contained as possible. If you haven't checked out this show, do so when it returns in January.

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