Ahh yesss. There really is nothing better than the wind-down of summer and the concurrent wind-up of television. Both QI and Would I Lie To You are back on the BBC and already two episodes in, and in both cases, fantastic as ever. WILTY is such a genius little concept that works incredibly well — must see TV! But, obviously, BBC being BBC it tends to be marvellous in general, so lets talk about US shows instead…
Ringer
Sarah Michelle Gellar is back! This was enough to make me watch the first episode last week. I love SMG in all her glorious SMG-ness whether she is Buffy or someone else. Ringer is a fun concept; two identical twins; both played by SMG have led very different lifes — one has married a wealthy NY stock market guy, and the other is a recovering addict who has witnessed a mafia murder. The sisters have not been in contact for years, and NY rich sister Siobhan has never even mentioned to her husband she has a twin. As part of her AA, Bridget, contacts Siobhan and this is where the trouble starts… They meet up, and shortly after Siobhan kills herself and Bridget – at this point on the run from the FBI – decides to assume her identity… And boy what an identity to assume; Siobhan’s life is not exactly quiet or normal it seems. And she is also not dead. She might be really evil, and poor Bridget is now being hunted by people wanting Siobhan dead; the FBI and the mafia boss whom she didn’t testify against… all while trying to be Siobhan without actually knowing anything about Siobhan’s life. Two episodes in it’s kinda complicated with a dark and twisty plot. I’m really hoping this one kicks off; but at the same time I wonder where they can take it – the problem with shows where the main character has a Big Secret is that once the Big Secret is out of the bag (and it’s not a superpower) the show is kinda over. Also, once Bridget gets to live Sibohan’s life for a while; fitting into it is going to be less and less problematic. I can’t see the FBI/mafia story line go for more than one season… so I guess I’m wondering where we’re going? — All I know is that I’m gonna be along for the ride; because I am both intrigued and entertained.
Gorgeous SMG as good twin/evil twin...
How I Met Your Mother
The best sit-com ever is back for season 7 with a double episode that continues straight off the S6 finale. It’s not completely breathtakingly hilarious; but this is HIMYM — sometimes we let the character development trump the jokes; and there is a lot going on… Barney is in love with Nora; and Robin reveals she is still in love with Barney, Lily & Marshall are pregnant and Victoria shows up. I think this is going to be an entertaining season, with such a grandiose set-up. Will Barney be marrying Robin or Nora? (My guess is none of them; the wedding is for Nora, but he’ll skip out Barney-style… unless they don’t wanna copy Friends with the Ross/Rachel thing, and if so, I dunno who the wedding is for.) Victoria being back is obviously just so Ted can be busy for a while with someone who isn’t Mama, as we can’t meet her until the wedding (whenever that will be) but I’m sure a reprise of Ted/Victoria will be fun no matter what. I also like the reference to The Ducky Tie — might not be as long winded as the Goat In The Bath (that took three years to wrap up completely?) but it’s fun when Ted gets ahead of himself in the narrative.
House
House is back on October 3d. Also the first episode leaked onto the internetz today. I watched it, but I reccomend you don’t. The audio is crap, and there are scenes missing, and instead you get black screen/white text saying “insert close up of xxx” here; or text over the film saying “insert blood vfx here” so you get a bad quality file that distracts from an otherwise interesting episode. It was really puzzling to see that they use effects for blood in a hospital show; has there ever been an episode of House without blood? Wouldn’t it be easier to get the fake stuff and rub/squirt it on? I never imagined blood to be added in post-production, when it is so easily faked. (I know, I’ve played with those “blood” capsules you chew on to make it look like you’re bleeding internally or got punched in the face.) So, please do wait until October 3d — this is the final season so we should be watching without distraction.
