EDIE FALCO as Jackie in Nurse Jackie Episode 4.08, airing June 3, 2012 on SHOWTIME:
SYNOPSIS: Nurse Jackie Episode 8 - June 3, 2012:'Chaud & Froid' Season 4.8.
Jackie's coworkers are punished for covering up her addiction.
SYNOPSIS: Nurse Jackie Episode 8 - June 3, 2012:
Episode Detail: 'Chaud & Froid' - Nurse Jackie -
When Cruz learns about Jackie's rehab, he takes revenge on coworkers who have been covering up her drug problems. Meanwhile, Eddie is deposed by Kevin's lawyer; a dumped Lenny decides to take off for Europe; and Coop accompanies O'Hara to her ob-gyn appointment.
Showtime has released the full playlist of season 4 NURSE JACKIE webisodes, The Break Room on YouTube:
The next episodes of NURSE JACKIE will be airing after the Memorial Day holiday on June 3rd. Be there or be square.
After the jump: Have a look at this interview with the creators on last week's "Day of the Iguana": Bonus: added shots from episode 4.08, more.
Photo credit: Showtime
Photo credit: Showtime
AFTER THE JUMP: Recap Episode 4.07:
While we're on the subject of behind-the-scenes features, have a look at this interview with the creators on last week's "Day of the Iguana": http://youtu.be/YhxuGejnMTc
EDIE FALCO as Nurse Jackie and JAKE CANNAVALLE as 'Charlie Cruz' in Nurse Jackie, season 4.
Did you guess that Jake Cannavale (Jackie's rehab friend, 'Charlie) was Bobby Cannavale's (Jackie's boss, 'Cruz') real-life son? It was starting to to look very probably and in episode 4.07 it's now a known fact by Jackie, by Cruz and by Charlie.
"What happens now?' is the question. Jackie continues to struggle to stay sober. Her involvement with Charlie was at first positive for her--now what's to become of this huge can of worms that has been tipped out completely?
I'm curious too if Cannvale as Cruz is hired just for the season or has signed on beyond this, if there in fact is a NURSE JACKIE season 5 (hope so!)
A side benefit to Charlie and Cruz being who they are on the show is that we immediately understand what it must be like for Charlie to be Cruz's kid. Impossible. Maddening. And, visa-versa!
True Blood starring Alexander Skarsgård, Chris Meloni and Steven Moyer:
NEW True Blood Wallpaper and Posters (HBO.com):
True Blood Season 5 "Everything Is At Stake" Promo (HD):
TRUE BLOOD - Season 5 - TV Guide Magazine Scans: Tara as Pam's progeny
All signs are pointing that way. See the video uptop and here's another (read above TVGuide snippet).
SOURCE: TV Guide Magazine
Click through Picasa slideshow (below) for more/full sizes.
This is either proof of many people long ago calling this right or a complete foiler.
I don't wish to believe that vampire Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) has had the power to resurrect dead people and convert them to vampires because this is the first ever I've heard of this vamp power in the Sookie-verse.
If this is true, I commend them for trying to do something for the Tara (Rutina Wesley) character. Being made vampire she'll reallybe able to let loose with all her rage--snap a few necks--maybe of her fellow vampires! And any excuse for more Pam since it seems her maker Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) will be off bromancing Bill (Steven Moyer) in season 5 is fine by me.
Bringing back a guy that writes True Blood comics and used to be the Reverend Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) though it may have been easy to do, is hard to understand, 'cause I hate the guy. He's bloody annoying and over-the-top cheesy.
GAME OF THRONES - PETER DINKLAGE as 'Tyrion Lannister' in the Battle of Blackwater, episode 2.09 (#19), airing Sunday, May27 on HBO (Credit: HBO)
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #19 Preview VIDEO:
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode 19 - 'Battle Tease' VIDEO:
Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon in Episode 2.09 of Game Of Thrones, Sunday May 27, 2012 on HBO (Credit: HBO, inc.):
GAME OF THRONES (HBO) 'BLACKWATER' (THE BATTLE OF BLACKWATER BAY) SYNOPSIS:
Episode #19: “Blackwater” Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion and the Lannisters fight for their lives as Stannis’ fleet assaults King’s Landing. Written by George R.R. Martin; directed by Neil Marshall.
The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger; co-executive producers, George R.R. Martin, Vanessa Taylor, Alan Taylor, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis; produced by Bernadette Caulfield.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode 19 - 'War Of The Kings' Trailer VIDEO:
After the jump:
GAME OF THRONES Episode 18 RECAP ('A Man Without Honour') (VIDEO):, Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #18 (VIDEO)::
(Detail - Photo credit: Mark Seliger/ Rolling Stone)
This is a really pretty picture:
It's really best appreciated in the paper version of the magazine, IMO--that's why I subscribe. I've framed some Rolling Stone magazine photos, quite a number over the years. The 'True Blood' cover (see right sidebar, below) was up on my 'private' bathroom wall for some time.
I don't recall seeing any of Peter Dinklage's work prior to Game Of Thrones on HBO where he's been a huge success, including earning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe award for his portrayal of "Tyrion Lannister" on the HBO series, based on the George R.R. Martin epic book series.
ROLLING STONE is still a magazine worth subscribing to/paying for. I've done so for about 35 years now. The Peter Dinklage article is a good example of Rolling Stone's ability--still--to take a pop culture phenom and offer a fresh take on the human side of him.
Good interview by Brian Hiatt and lovely photography by Mark Seliger with beefcake courtesy of Peter Dinklage.
BONUS: Co-star and onscreen sister, Lena Headey ('Cersei' on GoT), an off-screen friend since their work together in 2006, refers to Dinklage as 'the most successful flirt I've ever met.'
PETER DINKLAGE as TYRION LANNISTER in GAME OF THRONES on HBO.
Love the shot of Tyrion's sellsword, 'Bronn' fighting in the Battle of Blackwater' :
Jerome Flynn is exactly as I would have pictured the character from reading the books and he certainly acts the part. I'm going on record as wanting Bronn's fate in the Battle of Blackwater be exactly like that of the book. It worked very well there and will here as well. Seriously. It's a very bloody battle.
Right: Varys and Tyrion Lannister (Conleth Hill and Peter Dinklage) Credit: Helen Sloan/HBO
Click through the thumbnails for the full-size HQ photo & wallpaper.
GAME OF THRONES' penultimate Battle of the Blackwater episode is just a little over a week away and HBO has just released the first image from the game and life-changing bloody battle.
Here’s Bronn (Jerome Flynn) taking aim on a cliff, with what appears to be part of Blackwater Bay and King’s Landing behind him FYI 'Blackwater' will take place at night as, executive producer David Benioff stated, “Flaming arrows at night look gorgeous.”
SAMUEL L. JACKSON as Nick Fury and SCARLETT JOHANSSEN as Black Widow a/k/a Natasha Romanov in MARVEL'S The AVENGERS:
Hulk Smash! Mark Ruffalo was an interesting choice for The Hulk but he's inhabited the persona and played Bruce Banner very convincingly. Lucky number 3 --we have ourselves a winner! (Also pictured: Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.) SOURCE: EW Magazine
We saw Marvel's The Avengers on Friday night. At the end, the audience cheered, which doesn't happen too often. So, in its second week, The Avengers is still getting THAT kind of audience reception. I am so glad Whedon is getting the recognition he deserves it on its own, and for his body of work thus far. I hope a whole new crop of Whedonites sprout.
Whedon has an awesomely loyal following. And this time, they brought ALL their friends.
TRUE BLOOD SEASON 5 - PAM'S ORIGIN STORY (Finally) Kristen Bauer van Straten as 'Pam' and Alexander Skarsgård as her maker, 'Eric' in True Blood season 5 (Photo: HBO)
Season 5 of TRUE BLOOD premieres Sunday, June 10th on HBO and nowhere else!
Have you seen the NEW TRUE BLOOD Season 5 trailer #1, yet?
It aired just before GAME OF THRONES Sunday evening and it certainly packed many buzz-worthy quick shots and snippets of convo.
Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis - above) believes Sookie is the 'angel of death.'
Kind of interesting because I believe he used pretty close to the same expression on Jason in season one. He made Sookie (Anna Paquin) sad and I'm pretty sure she was already sad.
Both the group and most senior vampire, 'Roman,' played by Chris Meloni, 'are' The Vampire Authority.
Desperately needing a storyline now that Jessica is not his reason for existing in the Bon Temps-verse, Hoyt (Jim Parrack) has taken to guyliner, fishnet shirts and, presumably, fangbanging (no more eternal virgins for him!).
OTOH, perhaps Hoyt is an undercover vamp killer! (Would be cool to have him hold Jess in his arms once last time...and then...neck-snap!)
ALEXANDER SKARSGARD as Eric Northman in season five TRUE BLOOD (June 10) HBO: 'They. will. suffer.' - Eric (emulating Russell?)
Russell Edgington: "Ha.Ha. Haaa!'
Actor Denis O'hare is reprising his role as Russell Edgington. The actor does look thinner as some have noted, though wouldn't the character look worse for the wear after his near-true death burning/cement trauma/buried alive scenario?
On the subject of Russell, we've seen now a couple of times, a sequence where an unconscious-looking man is being effortlessly dragged to a small room by (presumably) a vampire, the door opens and the body is pulled inside by an unknown entity at vamp speed. Then we hear a man's cry and see a large blood splatter on the small window of the room. Could the 'person' 'procuring' the human be Steve Newlin? In the screencaps it sure does look like that Elvis-style hairdo he sports (even in death).
Several snippets seem to confirm actor Alexander Skarsgård's assertion that his and 'Bill's' (Steven Moyer) storyline this season is akin to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
STEPHEN MOYER, ANNA PAQUIN and ALEXANDER SKAGSGARD in TRUE BLOOD season 5: It would be nice if Sookie did not have to be paired up with either Bill or Eric for a season. No 'shipper wars would be awesome. For my part I've always found the non-sexual, maker-child Eric- Pam relationship much more satisfying on an ongoing basis, though it seems we will see them get 'closer' in a flashback origin sequence for Pam (KRISTEN BAUER van STRATEN):
The kiss between Alcide (JOE MANGANIELLO) and Sookie? He's gonna be real busy with were-issues and she with vamp/other stuff so I'm thinking they end up in much the same place that they did in the books (skipping the romance, tho'). Alcide and Sookie = flirtation.
Terry and Patrick. Apparently something bad happened over in 'the war' they were in together and now they must remedy it. I like giving Todd Lowe something to do but this sounds like a second-string story that is going to elicit a big 'who cares?' (See: Anything to do with Jason's Hot Shot story.) It's what's going on in crazy Bon Temps that we care about!
The Vampire Authority: We've long known there was one. We even saw them in shadowy silhouette on a big screen at Fangtasia. Now we get to meet them.
Though Chris Meloni brings the network & cable teevee name recognition that some of his fellow Authority figures don't, he also brings the baggage of when he's dressed up in a suit, he looks exactly like the guy he LAST played on network TV. Would that he looked exactly like the guy he played in the HBO series 'Oz,' but alas, he would need to wear a wife beater (or nothing) and be 15 years younger.
The Vampire Authority in general looks, or at least dresses like a bunch of middle-aged executives (except Salomé--how could she?). Their look as we see it now, is so bland that it raises no expectations. Perhaps because the Authority is so conformist their suits are meant to echo that? If so, great but I was hoping for each of them to show more individual personality in their appearance.
No Tara (Rutina Wesley) in True Blood's season 5 Trailer #1 save for the season 4 last shot of Sookie and a brains-splattered Tara on the floor of Sookie's kitchen. The character of 'Tara' is a hot topic because fans seem to be about 75% wanting her gone forever and 25% arguing for her to 'come back' some way. The only plausible way within the life/death parameters that have been stated thus far in the HBO TV series are that she could reappear as a ghost. For the Tara haters this would probably be a bad thing as the options left to send her away for good then would seem null.
It would however just squeak by into the parameters that the actress who plays Tara, set. Rutina Wesley has interviewed when speaking of the series in general and her role in particular that she would be happiest if that with so many characters on the show already supernatural, that Tara could remain human. Killing her, then having her reappear as a ghost sort of gives the actress her wish.
And finally, we have...Faeries! After nearly no faeries in season 4 despite the huge consequences of Sookie being part -Fae, some fairies are back. Behold:
Above: 'Microwave fingers' (One should be a re-cast 'Claude,' brother of the late 'Claudine'.)
Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) 'Jaime Lannister is irredeemable.'
GAME OF THRONES - Ill-Fit to Rule (VIDEO):
"Quaithe', a prophet from the same island as Melisandre(!)
GAME OF THRONES - Masked Prophet VIDEO:
Harrenhal's Hanging Cart
GAME OF THRONES - Ill-Fit to Rule VIDEO:
GAME OF THRONES - True Fidelity VIDEO:
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
Episode #17: “A Man Without Honor” (HBO) Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) Other HBO playdates: May 13 (11:00 p.m.), 15 (11:00 p.m.), 16 (10:00 p.m.) and 19 (1:30 a.m.) HBO2 playdates: May 14 (9:00 p.m.), 17 (8:00 p.m.), 18 (midnight) and 20 (1:00 p.m.) Jaime (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau) meets a distant relative; Dany receives an invitation to the House of the Undying; Theon leads a search party; Jon loses his way in the wilderness; Cersei (Lena Headey) counsels Sansa (Sophie Turner). Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by David Nutter.
AFTER THE JUMP -
'Murder of the 13' (diagram) Tywin's Chamber (rendering)
You may have already heard that Stephen Moyer is trying his hand at directing this season, taking the reins of episode 8 (written by Mark Hudis). I asked Michael McMillian, who plays Steve Newlin, what it’s like to work with Moyer in such a different capacity and he had quite a bit to say:
"It's clear Stephen has a deep appreciation for these characters and a need to dig into things a little deeper than usual to find the truth in each scene. He has a natural talent for directing. He's really in his element behind the camera and brings a playful and wicked sense of humor with him. It was fun working with him. I felt like the parents had left town and our cool big brother was in charge of all us kids. He took his role seriously, but still managed to throw us a party."
This newly-available TRUE BLOOD CASTING CALL is so descriptive, so exacting in the detail of the the creatures being cast, that it qualifies for a SPOILER label.
First, this Casting Call is for episode 11 of TRUE BLOOD season 5--the penultimate eppy. It should be a big setup for the finale and, from the variety of characters that are being cast for episode 5.11, I'd say True Blood is going to end the "Alan Ball as showrunner"- era with a bang.
Vamp security guard. Check.
The Minister of the European Vampire League--which explains the need for the guy above.
A middle-aged werewolf 'elder' warns Alcide of a new breed of vampire(!)
Feral evil teen-girl vampire,
Feral, evil "businessman" vampire.
Feral, evil biker 'baby' vamp. Travels wit the teen-girl and businessman vampires.
Authority guards, vampire most likely.
It sounds like the faeries, who everyone thought were pretty funny anyway, are being played for laughs in this scene:'The ANGRY FAERIE gets into an argument with the Belligerent Faerie and the Pissed Off Faerie in a faerie free-for-all.'
This also sounds really goofy: [FAERIE BOY, FAERIE GIRL] 'This Faerie boy and girl get all amorous and excited as they pull Jason into their Faerie Club. '
So at a minimum, you have Alcide still up to his neck in vampires and still breathing which is good!-- as well as Jason alive and well it seems, and tangled up (sexually) with a couple of faeries! Go Jason. Though if he's gone to faeryland will he too, be away from Bon Temps for an extended time (ala Earl and Sookie)?
[GONDRY] Mid-30's, slimy and conniving, with slicked back hair, Gondry is a Vampire Security Guard. He has a sort of amused contempt for his assignment. Guest star.
[BERTRAND] A swarthy Frenchman, authoritative, confident, he is the Minister of the European Vampire League. Guest star.
[MURPHY ROLLINS] Mid 50s, a werewolf, strong, a man who speaks his mind, he brings a warning about a new breed of vampires to Alcide and Jackson. Guest star.
[TEEN-GIRL VAMPIRE] This teenage girl vampire with a ravenous, feral, just plain evil look about her. Co-star.
[ANGRY FAERIE] This angry faerie gets into an argument with the Belligerent Faerie and the Pissed Off Faerie in a faerie free-for-all. Co-star.
[AUTHORTY GUARD(s) #1, #2] These rough Authority Guards at the prison help keep order. Co-star.
[BIKER VAMP] This newly formed vampire with a feral, ravaneous, evil look is traveling around with the Teen-Girl Vamp and the Businessman Vamp. No lines, 2 scenes. (40)
[BUSINESSMAN VAMP] This businessman vamp with a ravenous, feral, just plain evil look. Co-star.
[FAERIE BOY, FAERIE GIRL] This Faerie boy and girl get all amorous and excited as they pull Jason into their Faerie Club. Co-star.
EDIE FALCO as NURSE JACKIE and BOBBY CANNAVALE as Cruz in NURSE JACKIE Episode 4.06 Sunday at 9 et/pt on SHOWTIME
Despite Jackie's (EDIE FALCO) managing to resist temptation even when it is thrust right into her hands, she still has to contend with problems continuing to dog her that go beyond staying sober. Pictured above is one of them: Dr. Cruz (BOBBY CANNAVALE) suspects something is not quite right about Jackie but no one has given him anything on her. Undeterred, he's embarked on a 'witch hunt' of sorts, determined to get to the bottom of Jackie's secret. Here, Jackie employs what she admitted to Zooey is a talent she is 'great at': Lying.
Even Jackie must suspect that with a guy like Cruz hounding her, it's only a matter of time before she and perhaps even those that have been covering for her go down.
Jackie dreams about sex (with Cruz) and drugs but no rock and roll, although Kevin rocks her to her core when he sues for full custody of their daughters. At the hospital, Cruz detects holes in Jackie's employment history, and she's surprised when she catches him exhibiting a kindly bedside manner to a trauma patient. Later, Lenny and Zoey get engaged, but Zoey still has questions about their relationship; Jackie, O'Hara and Akalitus treat a transgender teen.
Edie Falco and Eve Best in Nurse Jackie on Showtime
Nurse Jackie : Where's My Ring?
Zoey loses her engagement ring.
Nurse Jackie : Uncle Coop
Coop insists on being involved with O'Hara's child.
NURSE JACKIE: Episode 4.05 RECAP:
Jackie managed to withstand an-on-the-job-shoulder injury using only an ice-wrap instead of the painkillers that pre-sober "Jacks' would have reached for. She did weaken in her resolvewith Kevin however and he took full-advantage of it. He's now gotten the goods on Jackie's prior pill-taking by cowing Eddie the pharmacist then, feigning consenting to a lunch date with Jackie, instead has her served with divorce papers indicating he is suing for full custody of the girls. This new development leaves Jackie shattered and again, temptation rears it's head. Instead, Jackie stuffs her face with pie.
The 'Dark Shadows' Cast Dark Shadows cast members Chloe Grace Moretz, Eva Green, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bella Heathcote.
Cast and crew members turned up in Hollywood to celebrate the premiere of "Dark Shadows," Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's eighth collaboration as director and star.
Prior to sharing the stage with Alice Cooper at the Dark Shadows premiere.
Johnny Depp Chloe Moretz
Depp reunites for the eighth time with director Tim Burton to play Barnabas Collins, the undead paterfamilias of the Collins clan who is released from the grave 200 years after he was buried.
Chloe Grace Moretz (right) plays Carolyn Stoddard, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard's (Michelle Pfeiffer) rebellious teenage daughter.
MERRIT WEVER as "Zooey" and EDIE FALCO as "Jackie" in Episode 5.05 of NURSE JACKIE on Showtime - Sunday 9 pm/et/pt:
Nurse Jackie: Episode 4.05 Synopsis: 'One-Armed Jacks': After realizing after she's whipped up pancakes in cute animal shapes that her girls are not even home to eat --they are at Kevin's--Jackie admits to O'Hara that she's really struggling living alone. Jackie calls Kevin, leaving him a message to meet her for lunch despite O'Hara's strong objections. While treating a gruesome trauma involving severed limbs, Jackie pops her shoulder out and must visit Eddie in the pharmacy so she can get it iced and wrapped up. Later, as Jackie waits for Kevin to show up for their lunch date, she is instead 'served'--divorce papers. Zooey, who had been soliciting a roommate, is invited by Jackie to live with her. That night they have pancakes for dinner.
RECAP Episode 4.04: Grace reveals to Jackie that she knows about Jackie's still in rehab propelling Jackie to Kevin's where in the presence of a nearly-nude woman, Jackie confesses the truth to Kevin. Suspiciously, he seems completely unfazed.
In dire need of some support, Jackie calls up Charlie to meet at an AA meeting. She find him drunk at the meeting and whisks him away. We learn that 'Charlie' is new hospital admin, Mike Cruz's son.
After meeting a charismatic, near death patient, Jackie is sorely tempted by "Jules'" offer to use heavy painkillers, going so far as to toss them in a Dumpster then reach in amongst the refuse, falling in, swearing and giving up on giving into temptation. Unbeknownst to Jackie, Kevin storms the pharmacy and demands from Eddie the names and exactly how much medications ("A lot.") Jackie used; he takes copious notes. Something tells me that we and Jackie are going to hear that list recited in a more formal setting...
Poor Jackie. This continues to be a very rough road to recovery.
VALENTINA CERVI as SALOME in TRUE BLOOD season 5 on HBO:
True Blood Season 5: Vampyr Tease:
True Blood returns with its 5th season on June 10th:
CHRIS MELONI as the leader of The Vampire Authority drops fang in TRUE BLOOD Season 5:
KRISTEN BAUER VAN STRATEN as 'Pam' in TRUE BLOOD Season 5 Official Character Promotional PHOTO (John P. Johnson/HBO): Click thumbnails (below) for full size.
True Blood - Season 5 - Various Promotional Episode Photos:
First look at the Authority! Chris Meloni looks like 'Stabler' in a more expensive suit. All the Authority looks/dresses like well-paid corporate people, save Jacob Hopkins as thes the youngest Vampire Authority chancellor who looks like he's dressing up as high-powered business guy (or maybe they all are all in fact, a vampire version of the one-per-cent).
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.01 - Turn! Turn! Turn! SYNOPSIS: Sookie and Lafayette clean up the Tara and Debbie Pelt mess; Bill and Eric are visited by the Vampire Authority; Sam and Alcide deal with an angry werewolf pack. (Written by Brian Buckner; directed by Daniel Minahan) (TV-MA) June 10 premiere
With the release of the TRUE BLOOD EPISODE 5.01 (#49) synopsis and the photo above we now know that Lafayette is the one we previously saw hooded, pictured with Sookie appearing to be filling in a grave in Sookie's yard. From there, it is really hard to tell. Did a vampire show up as well and attempt to turn Tara? Did Tara fully die making that impossible? Will Lafayette's new-found abilities as a medium--a communicator with the dead--'resurrect' Tara?
We know that the actress playing her, Rutina Wesley, is on-board with the show as a featured player but in what form? My guess is as a spectre or a ghost, if you prefer. She's not coming back as a (mindless) zombie. That would make no sense given that the stage is set with her cuz Lafayette being able to 'speak' with her still.
I suppose we could play around with the notion that oh, Pam say, turns her but I just don't get why Pam would be inclined to do so--even if she could.
(Fun observation: When the photo above is blown up, the blood pattern on Sookie's forehead looks just like the one she has in season 1 when she wakes up after nearly being killed by the 'Rattrays,' to Bill licking her forehead where blood was drying on her now-healed wound. Could it be a call-back to the time when Sookie was 'resurrected' by Bill?)
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.02 - Authority Always Wins - SYNOPSIS: Tara resurfaces in Bon Temps; Pam recalls her human life and first encounter with Eric; Bill and Eric meet Salome at the Vampire Authority headquarters. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann.) (TV-MA) : June 17 Premiere.
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.03 - Whatever I Am, You Made Me- SYNOPSIS: Bill and Eric barter for their lives with Roman, the head of the Authority; Jason reunites with his old high school teacher; Sookie searches for Tara. (Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by David Petrarca.) (TV-MA) June 24 Premiere
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE TRUE BLOOD SEASON 5 POSTER ART:
ANNA PAQUIN and ALEXANDER SKARSGARD in TRUE BLOOD - 'Conjuring Up Season 4' Promo VIDEO airing MAY 27 on HBO:
Conjuring up True Blood Season 4 premiering May 27th on HBO.
True Blood Season 5 premiers this June 10th on HBO.
Looks like the TRUE BLOOD gang's all here except Rutina Wesley (Tara) who tooka bullet to the brain for Sookie (Anna Paquin) at the end of season 4. Very much reminds me of the season 1 cliff-hangar with the foot of a person unknown with toenails painted much like Lafayette's hangin' outta the back seat of Andy Bellefleur's (Chris Bauer) car. We'd last see "Lala" takin' out the trash behind Merlotte's and then being startled by something coming at him at vamp speed. He wasn't seen in any of the season 2 previews prior to the season premiere but then we found he was safe and sound locked up in Eric's dungeon as punishment for sellign "V' (vampire blood).
Here's some intel on what to expect from True Blood season 5 fresh off the press earlier today:
Question: Any True Blood scoop? Answer:
Sorry, Sookie (and fans of the love triangle), but this is the season of the bromance!
"There's a bit of a bromance between going on this year between Eric and Bill," Alexander Skargård tells us.
"It's fun because I love Stephen Moyer to death and after four years of butting heads, this is more like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We have a common enemy and we have to team up this year."
'The Dark Knight Rises' Trailer Teases Batman's Suffering, More Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway (Video)
The new trailer for the upcoming Batman film offers an up close look at the series' new stars and Bruce Wayne's emotional arc. '...Seemingly loosely based on Frank Miller's 1986 Batman comic limited series The Dark Knight Returns, the film features a story that takes place eight years after the conclusion of 2008's The Dark Knight. Christian Bale's Batman is seemingly out of commision, or at least very unprepared to face off against the psychotic menace of Bane, played by a Tom Hardy whose voice is much more clear than it was in earlier trailers.
Bane's warpath brings Gotham to its knees and puts Batman on his (broken) back, though the combination of Commisioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), Alfred (Michael Caine) and John Blake (newcomer to the series, Joseph Gordon-Levitt) believe in his return, even when all seems lost.
The trailer features Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, who plays Selina Kyle/Catwoman, quite heavily, telling a story of struggle and misplaced trust amid the crippling of a city.
Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter") again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine ("The Cider House Rules") plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
GAME OF THRONES - Episode 15 – 'The Ghost of Harrenhal' – RECAP:
We open the episode in King Renly’s tent as Renly talks war strategy & alliances with Catelyn Stark. Things sound somewhat promising but because of Melisandre's demon spawn birthing scene last week, everyone probably guessed that Renly's number was about to be up. Sure enough, but a few minutes into the episode Renly is driven through with the shadow demon's sword, falling into Brienne's arms and dying. Guards are upon her immediately but she quickly dispatches them. Then, with Catelyn's urging, she and Cat beat a hasty retreat. Later is a heart-rending scene between Brienne and Catelyn, where a still very distraught Brienne pledges her loyalty to Catelyn Stark. Perfectly played by both Gwendoline Christie as Brienne and Michelle Fairley as Catelyn.
Back in Renly’s camp, the Tyrells have discovered the fate of poor Renly. Loras seems much more upset than Margaery expressing his desire for revenge by killing Stannis himself. Margaery advises caution, as does Littlefinger. She though, is thinking only about the end game, and Littlefinger appears to be on the same page. Says he, 'You wish to be a queen?' Says she, 'No.'...pause...'I wish to be THE queen.'
Stannis has arrived in Renly’s camp and all of his bannermen except the Tyrells who have fled, have joined him. Davos needs to speak with Stannis of a 'hard truth' in the forthcoming battle strategy. Stannis tells him they next sail to Blackwater Bay and, despite Davos's protestations, Davos will command the fleet. Davos advises Stannis to leave Melisandre behind because, he tells him, he will lose his men to the Red Woman if they are victorious as she will be credited her for the victory. Stannis glumly acquiesces without argument.
In King’s Landing, Tyrion meets with Cersei about Renly’s death. Tyrion warns that they will be Stannis's next target. Cersei blithely responds that Joffrey has begun making siege plans, but she plays coy about what those plans are. Undaunted, Tyrion goes to Lancel to get the inside scoop. After verbally kicking around Cersei's boy-toy, Tyrion learns that the Queen Regent has ordered alchemists s make wildfire. Tyrion journeys to the Alchemist’s Guild seeing firsthand the potential in “the substance.” He orders Hallyne to continue making it under Tyrion's direction now.
On the Iron Islands, Theon is preparing to set sail on his ship, the Sea Bitch. His motley crew doesn’t respect him. He meets Dagmer Cleftjaw for the first time; Dagmer suggests instead of raiding some fishing villages, they attack the under-defended Torrhen’s Square. Theon tells him they could take it, but couldn’t hold it once Winterfell sends forces to reclaim it. The two men exchange knowing glances and Theon now sees a path to victory and the much-desired respect from his men.
In Winterfell, Bran is taking yet another 'town hall' meeting,' continuing to listen to the complaints of minor lords. To his irritation, little brother Rickon noisily mashes walnuts by his side. Breaking the staid process, Rodrik bursts in declaring Torrhen Square is under attack. Despite most of them off at battle with Robb, Rodrick tells Bran he could round up 200 fighting men. Bran orders him to do so and to reclaim Torrhen Square. Later, he talks with Osha about his dreams. He talks of the three-eyed crow and then tells Osha about his dream of the sea crashing over the walls Winterfell.
In the far North, the Night’s Watch has arrived at the Fist of the First Men. As they set up camp, Qhorin Halfhand arrives with a force from the Shadow Tower. Qhorin and Jeor Mormont, the Old Bear, talk strategy; the Halfhand wants to take a small force of men to eliminate Mance’s scouts and Jon Snow wants to go with him. Commander Mormont resists at first, but relents after an internal dialogue where he seems to remember his end-game with Snow. It doesn't hurt that Sam cheerfully offers to pick up Jon’s steward duties.
Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys is a guest of Xaro Xhoan Daxos, the prince who vouched for her and her troupe at the gates of Qarth. Dany has finally figured out how how to feed her dragons or rather how they can now feed themselves (they like their meat singed). Xaro hosts a meet and greet for Dany including the shiver-inducing warlock, Pyat Pree. He shows Dany a bit of magic and invites her to the House of the Undying. Clad in a bizarre wooden mask, Quaithe makes an appearance, delivering cryptic warnings to Jorah of impending danger. Later that night, Xaro demonstrates his immense wealth and then proposes marriage to Dany. He also delivers the news that King Robert is dead. Dany consults with 'adviser and friend,' Jorah. She considers accepting Xaro’s proposal and setting sail to Westeros immediately. Jorah advises her that they wait, that their allies are in Westeros and they need just one ship, not three, to get them there.
Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H’ghar
At Harrenhal, Arya attends to Lord Tywin as he meets with his lords. They are discussing what to do about Robb, as he continues to make mincemeat of them at every battle. Tywin recognizes Arya as a northerner. He asks of her what they say of Robb in the north. She tells him the tales of Robb riding a direwolf into battle, or even turning into a direwolf, and that he can’t be killed. “Do you think he can’t be killed?,” he intones. Arya meets his eyes steadily: “No. Anyone can be killed.” Tywin tells her to fetch some water as the already long meeting will continue much longer. On her way, she runs into the enigmatic Jaqen H’ghar dressed as a Lannister soldier. He tells her she owes the Red God three lives, that she must give a man three names and a man will do the rest. Arya gives him his first name, the torturer nicknamed The Tickler. Later, a scream and a thud comes from the courtyard. The Tickler lies on the ground, his head twisted 180 degrees around, facing up. Arya looks up at the battlements and sees Jaqen. He acknowledges her by holding one finger up to his face.
Also at Harrenhall, 'Gendry' (Joe Dempsie)
My thoughts on 'The Ghost of Harrenhal':
Maybe because I'm new to the book series, currently at the beginning of 'A Storm of Swords', I'm not getting bent about the changes being made in the adaption from the A Song of Ice and Fire book series to the HBO telling of the story. The author of the books, George R.R. Martin is an advisor on the adaption process and it seems most choices are done in service to the process that must be gone through in order to come out the other side, so to speak.
I don't care who Arya chose as her first kill. It needed to be someone that she hated's name. She more or less just plucked out of the air as Jaquen sprang the three deaths for three lives offer on her and she answered quickly. In my mind, the Tickler was as good as any. Book readers fussing over 'what will they do when' in book 3 need to focus on the now (adaption of book 2). If you love the book version so very much, go back and reread it to assuage your feelings of being cheated.
Speaking of 'Arya', Maisie Williams is a fantastic Arya. She's acting at the level of the best adult actors on the show. When I read the books now I picture her and that's about as good as it gets.
Though he didn't impress me all that much in season 1, Isaac Hempstead Wright as 'Bran' is increasingly growing on me. He never overplays and his restrained performance serves the story quite well.
Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar is mysterious, strange and very alluring. He's an instant favourite of mine.
Finally, the scene in the aftermath of Renly's murder between Stephen Dillane as Stannis and Liam Cunningham as Davos was churning with tumult just beneath it's muted surface. Kudos to both actors.
Lena Headey as Cersei and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in GAME OF THRONES - Episode #16:
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #16 Preview
GAME OF THRONES NEXT WEEK: Episode #16: “The Old Gods and the New”: Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Theon (Alfie Allen) completes his master stroke. In King’s Landing, the Lannisters send Myrcella (Aimee Richardson) from harm’s way in the nick of time. Arya (Maisie Williams) comes face to face with a surprise visitor; Dany (Emilia Clarke) vows to take what is hers; Robb (Richard Madden) and Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) receive crucial news; Qhorin (Simon Armstrong) gives Jon (Kit Harington) a chance to prove himself.
Written by Vanessa Taylor; directed by David Nutter.
AFTER THE JUMP: Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #15
ALEXANDER SKARSGARD as Eric Northman in TRUE BLOOD HBOGO Season 5 SNEAK PEEK:
True Blood Season 5: (EXTENDED) Waiting Sucks - Eric and Pam
TRUE BLOOD Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Eric/Pam VIDEO:
KRISTEN BAUER van STRATEN in TRUE BLOOD in HBOGO Season 5 SNEAK PEEK:
In which Pam does the unthinkable and demands that Eric, her maker, release her if he is unwilling to trust her. She seems especially aggrieved that Eric she says, takes the word of Bill Compton and 'a werewolf' (probably Alcide) over hers.
Eric had just accused her of lying about digging up Russell Edgington--which she vehemently denied--to which he responded he trusts no one and she should not, either.
ALFIE ALLEN (Theon Greyjoy), LENA HEADEY (Queen Cersei), KIT HARRINGTON (Jon Snow), EMILIA CLARKE (Daenerys) - ROLLING STONE magazine shoot - March 2012:
Grace learns that her mother has been in rehab, forcing Jackie to race to Kevin's before she spills the beans to him. Later, Cruz docks Jackie's pay over some purloined items; and Jackie sets up an AA rendezvous with Charlie, who turns up in bad shape. Rosie Perez appears as 'Jules,' a woman with a condition that is the most bizarre that I've ever seen on Nurse Jackie. (You really do need to see it.) Jules and Jackie click in a profound way with potentially disastrous consequences.
Unsurprisingly Jackie left rehab early,'AMA,' because she desperately believes that troubled older daughter, 'Grace' needs her mom close at hand. In fact, Grace makes it very clear that the writing is on the wall--she wants to live with her dad.
Surprisingly, Jackie managed to stay in the recovery program for over two weeks, even making a connection with a fellow patient with whom she seems to have forged a very real relationship.
Though it probably was a poor judgment call on her part, she did return to the hospital, which in my estimation is both a boon and bane to her sobriety. In her favour, Jackie has a support system in place at work which she doesn't have at home and it's a medical setting. But the fact that the very substances which she abuses are right under her nose at work certainly sets her sobriety up for failure.
It seemed almost inevitable that she'd succumb to temptation and almost immediately, her fragile state is shaken when Kelly Slater gives her a bag of Fentynal patches. In a wrenching scene, Jackie agonizes over the temptation to use only to instead turn the patches over to Cruz and rat Kelly out. Kelly beats a hasty retreat from All Saints.
Will she have the strength to stay on the wagon when temptation next rears it's head or will Jackie's leaving rehab be the beginning of the end of her struggle to stay sober? Perhaps we'll find out more in this week's episode.
Janina Gavankar as 'Luna' and Sam Trammell as 'Sam' film TRUE BLOOD episode 5.05:
True Blood Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Sam/Luna VIDEO:
Hardcore TRUE BLOOD fans know that there remains just 6½ weeks until the premiere of season 5 on HBO Sunday nights. In past years there's been an absolute blitz of media like giant murals, adverts on the side of buses and at bus stops, tons of sneak peeks, and many other "extras." This year seems, to me anyway, more muted.
Perhaps it is wise that HBO continues to hype to the extreme it's massively successful adaption of George R.R. Martin's book series "A Song Of Ice and Fire" which is almost halfway through it's 10-episode season 2 run (Yep. It's in True Blood's timeslot).
Thus far, there's been three NEW behind-the-scenes snippets from Season 5. Wisely, the promo people chose to insert Sookie (Anna Paquin) in one as well as Alcide (Joe Manganiello) and if you perused the HBOGo site you'd see Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) enter that scene, too. Pretty good, though completely spoiler-free spot.
I figured that to build anticipation that we'd next get a scene with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) or Bill (Stephen Moyer) as they are two of the featured stars of the show. If not them, then a scene with the hotly anticipated, newly cast Chris Meloni.
But no.
What we have is Sam & Luna & Terry & Patrick.
We also have a problem. Problems, actually.
Sam (Sam Trammell) and Luna (Janina Gavankar) have no chemistry what.so.ever. and they are playing a couple so that scene is a big zzzzz, save for it's extended version, also residing at HBOGo (sense a pattern?) in which Sam exits stage left leaves Luna's only to have her hear a gunshot ring out seconds afterward. Anyone worried that Sam is shot? No? Me neither. You know that in episode 5.05 True Blood is not killing off Sam. And they are ripping themselves off in that they had Sam in similar circumstances with the,"Did Sam shoot Tommy?" scene that was a season 3-ender. Mostly, we didn't care but just the same, it was a red-herring, Tommy got winged. At most, Sam will too.
True Blood Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Terry/Patrick VIDEO:
OK. Terry and Patrick. Terry (Todd Lowe) is well-liked by fans and a scene with him and maybe his cousin Andy (Chris Bauer) might have been good enough but they didn't do that. Instead, we are offered up 'Patrick', an old Iraq war buddy of Terry's that showed up at Merlotte's at the tail-end of last season. We don't know anything more about Patrick so why should we care when shown a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of him and Terry getting caught doing "whatever" by some guys we've never seen before? We don't. Which defeats the point, the very reason for a sneak peek/teaser: to entice us to watch.
Given that True Blood is coming off a disappointing season 4, you'd think that they would haul out their big guns (those would be the stars of the show) and tease the hell out of us.
Six more weeks guys, to entice, to build anticipation and excitement about the TRUE BLOOD season 5 premiere.
Time to haul out the big guns.
Season 5 of "True Blood" premieres Sunday, June 10th. For more on True Blood, go to http://itsh.bo/HAObVp or jump in on the Twitter conversations http://twitter.com/truebloodhbo
TRUE BLOOD Star ANNA PAQUIN, who last week announced her pregnancy, is ambushed by paparazzi as she tries to run errands near her home in Malibu.
Credit: Pacific Coast News /Apr 25, 2012 via PEOPLE
True Blood stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer confirmed this week that Anna is expecting their first child. This of course has set off a media frenzy to get a snap of Anna's belly. Though her tummy does not look particularly big her boobs are ginormous. My guess is she could have hid the evidence of a growing tummy a bit longer but no way could the formerly conservatively endowed Paquin hide her now-ample breasts.
I'm not now, nor have I ever been very interested in Paquin and Moyer's private lives. You won't find but a couple of photos like the one above over the 4-plus years I've written about the show, as I do feel her privacy is being compromised.
HOWEVER, I am really curious as to how this will affect her work on HBO's TRUE BLOOD.
Unconfirmed reports have the baby arriving this fall, 2012. Filming of TRUE BLOOD season 6, if there is to be one, would commence around the beginning of 2013 if the show sticks to it's previous schedule. It seems then that this baby was perfectly planned to give Paquin and Moyer a traditional maternity leave of about 3 months or so. She'll need to get back into 'perfect' shape in time for season 6 though one wonders if Anna's bare-it-all True Blood scenes are now behind her, not so much because she won't ever look great (I'm sure she will). More, she's attained power-player status and really doesn't have to 'serve the story' any longer.
I'm curious too, how her maternal status has affected the True Blood season 5 story. Obviously, Paquin's character Sookie Stackhouse, won't get pregnant and now it seems that unless she filmed her sexy-time scenes already she won't be baring too much at all in season 5 (body doubles are not ruled out, I suppose).
That jibes with what has been reported about True Blood season 5, that the Vampire Authority will be the central focus and that this year will deviate greatly from the original source material by writer Charlaine Harris.
I do applaud leaving the Sookie Stackhouse books behind as after the first couple they decline greatly in quality. (Just the same, I read the entire series in an effort to be well-informed about the show.)
With showrunner ALAN BALL exiting TRUE BLOOD after this season, and Paquin and Moyer starting a family, my feeling is that True Blood is winding down. I'm curious too about what kind of audience numbers True Blood will pull in for it's debut on June 10--and beyond. It's my prediction that this will be the first year that True Blood loses some of it's steam. I'm no psychic but perusing the bloated terrain of True Blood websites I have read hundreds of comments especially from fans of the Sookie Stackhouse book series, that they are done with the show. I've seen such 'threats' (promises?) before but after last season I totally understand where they are coming from. Even tho' I'm not a Charlaine Harris book fan-- I am a fan of good TV. And season 4 True Blood to put it kindly, was uneven in quality, as was to a lessor extent, seasons 2 and 3.
You can only squeeze so much juice out of what was a sexy, bloody, fantastical R-rated romp before the source runs dry. Better to exit while you still have a respectable fan base than dying a slow death. In other words, after season 5 TRUE BLOOD, let's stake it and move on.
"Eureka" When the MC heads north on a "charity" club run, they find more than just bike trouble when they cross state lines. And with Samcro out of Charming, Gemma's left in a compromising position with The League.
SONS OF ANARCHY SEASON 2 TRAILER
Reeling from the combined pressure of an ATF crackdown and an unprovoked murder, the Sons face a far more deadly threat from a cold-blooded enemy who will stop at nothing to drive them out of Charing - for good. As Jax and Clay square off over questiond of leadership and loyalty, lines are drawn and shaos reigns as the club threatens to destroy itself - from the inside out.
SONS OF ANARCHY- Season 2 Episode 2 SYNOPSIS- "Small Tears":
Jax’s decision without the club’s approval doesn’t sit well with Clay, especially when it brings dangerous repercussions upon the MC. Luann runs into trouble at her porn studio.
God. I just realized that "Small Tears," the title of episode 2 of Sons of Anarchy, is small tears of flesh-- damage done by the gang rape of Gemma. I'd been thinking (or perhaps I was not thinking) that it was small tears as in crying and I couldn't quite get my head around it. Now I do. Perhaps it is also a metaphor for the tears in her psyche and soul.
KATEY SAGAL has some insightful comments about Gemma's difficult recovery from a traumatic event on 'Sons of Anarchy's' first episode of Season 2.
UPDATE: BE SURE TO READ MY CURRENT COVERAGE OF SONS OF ANARCHY on my sister blog
"I think she knows everything." - Katey Sagal on Gemma Teller Morrow, her character on FX's Sons of Anarchy.
Within the insular world of the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club, which rules the small California town of Charming, Gemma is a force of nature, not to be underestimated.
She's married to club president Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman), who co-founded the Sons with Gemma's late first husband, John Teller. The rest of the men in the club respect her role as not just Clay's wife but as a no-nonsense leader and someone who's been there from the start.
"They’re a little bit Peter Pan-ish, all of the [men in the club]," Sagal said in a recent phone interview. "They all need a strong mom. I think she kind of is the matriarch of all of them in a weird way. In the mythology of the club, she’s been there since the beginning. So she has probably seen these guys when they first got there. So they look to her as some sort of, I don’t want to say a moral compass, but she’s got a strong point of view."
As Season 2 began, tensions were rising between Clay and Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), Gemma's son and a powerful force as well, within the club. A white-supremacist gang had come to Charming with the stated intent of shutting down the club's illicit gun sales.
"..Gemma sees all of it. "...this is where I think she’s sort of different than possibly an organized-crime wife. They seem to have more of the see no evil [approach] -- they just don’t look. I think that Gemma is very involved in what’s going on," Sagal says.
Gemma's central role within the club had unexpected and disturbing consequences in the Season 2 premiere of the show.
About this seasons overarching theme she says,
"It’s about the undoing of lots of characters. Everybody kind of comes up against themselves, that's really what you see. (They’re forced to make choices in terms of loyalty to the club and whether or not it’s going to be for the good of all.)
A: "Yeah, this whole job has been a lot of those [situations] where I’ve walked through things and thought, “Well I’ve never done that.” Then you kind of do it and it just makes you better at what you do. So I have felt -- I have embraced the challenge. It couldn’t be a more loving, safe atmosphere where we work because everybody’s very vulnerable and it’s risky and there’s a lot of physical stuff. It’s just a really good environment for that. The way we did that first episode was very choreographed and timed. It was respectful. We just got through it, you know what I mean?"
Q: The rape of Gemma is clearly a pivotal moment for the club, I think, and for obviously for your character. ... you('ve) talked about how difficult a process that was for you -- that it was weeks of difficulty...
A: "Well you know, it’s always sort of the job of the actor to make real make-belief circumstance. In this particular case, it required me to visit some pretty dark places but just seemed to hang around with me after I left work. You know, it’s hard sometimes to just detach yourself from what you’re doing. Most times it’s not; most times it’s okay, but in this particular case … The timeline of our show is very [compact]. Most of the events take place within a week. So it’s not like from episode to episode there’s weeks of time [passing for the characters]. Those first five [episodes cover about a three week period and then] she starts to finally pull herself together a little bit. But those first two or three episodes take place [for Gemma] over a course of two or three days. Then coupled with -- there’s a lot of shame that comes from that experience. I think that Gemma is a woman who always sort of leads with her sexuality; she’s confident, she’s strong. This takes it to another place. In my imagination this may have been something that happened to Gemma as a kid. She may have been one of those kinds of kids. I sort of threw that in the mix that -- this is reminiscent of a bad time as well."
Q:... Gemma is...such a powerful personality.... her power is, to some degree, in her sexuality and in her strength. It seems like both of those are kind of under attack; she’s wavering in every way.
Claire Danes and Damien Lewis in HOMELAND on SHOWTIME. Season 2 debuts on Sept 30, 2012:
Despite there being many questions remaining for HOMELAND, due to Claire Danes' sublime performance as 'Carrie Matheson', a bi-polar CIA agent who is right about a returned war hero in the wrong way and because of Mandy Patinkin's wonderful portrayal of her mentor , a man with many years CIA and as many psychic demons, I totally need to know if Carrie is alright. Danes did such a convincing job of Carrie's meltdown which culminated with her admitting herself for electroconvulsive therapy, that I'm anxious to get back to the show to see if she's gonna pull through enough to piece her life--which she was just barely keeping on track--back together.
Homeland : Season 2 - 'Burning Questions' VIDEO:
The truth was uncovered, but not everything was revealed. Homeland season 2 premieres September 30th, 2012.
Cool! We are beginning to get DEXTER intel. I'll never not love DEXTER. The actors are incredible and the show was so daring and crazy when it was a bit 'younger.' It's still one of the best shows--on any channel on television.
DEXTER, Episode #701, "Are You....?" Writer: Scott Buck Director: John Dahl Location: Los Angeles Shoot dates: o/a 5/23-6/4
[GEORGE NOVIKOV] 30s to 40s. Russian heritage but American born, so no accent. Tough, aggressive, possibly a little overweight but imagines he is "all that". Basically, he's just not a good guy. RECURRING GUEST STAR.
[VIKTOR KAREV] 30s, handsome, well dressed, stylish, slight Eastern European accent. He is a polished businessman who can get his hands dirty when he has to. GUEST LEAD.
[DET. ANGIE MILLER] 30s, African American. Attractive, straightforward, she is a divorced mother of two who has no time for nonsense, so she simply goes about her job at Miami Metro Homicide. MAJOR RECURRING CO-STAR ROLE.
[YOUNG DEXTER] Dexter (Michael C. Hall) at 9 years old. Reddish-brownish hair and brown eyes. 2 Speeches and 6 lines/3 scenes.
[YOUNG DEBRA] Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) at 5 years old. Long brown hair and hazel green eyes. 2 Speeches and 2 lines/3 scenes.
[TICKET AGENT] 30s, Caucasian, female. She is a ticket agent at an airport. 1 Speech and 2 lines/1 scene.
[BLACK-HAIRED STRIPPER] Mid 20s to early 30s and with a thick Russian accent. She is a stripper at a Miami strip club. 2 lines/1 scene.
[EVIDENCE CLERK] Female, Latina, 30s to 40s. She works in evidence at Miami Metro Homicide. 1 line/1 scene.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #15 Preview (HBO):
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) in GAME OF THRONES Episode 2.05 (#15) HBO:
GAME OF THRONES - Inside Episode 14:
Take a look inside Episode #14 of "Game Of Thrones."
Game of Thrones Episode #15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal" Season 2, Episode 5 Synopsis (TVGuide):
The Baratheon rivalry ends, drawing different reactions from Catelyn and Littlefinger; Tyrion finds Joffrey's defense plan at King's Landing lacking, but also learns of a mysterious secret weapon; Theon continues to prove himself to his father by sailing to the Stony Shore; Arya gets a promise from Jaqen H'ghar; the Night's Watch regroup at an ancient fortress called the Fist of the First Men.
Original Air Date: Apr 29, 2012
Guest Cast Stephen Dillane: Stannis Baratheon Tom Wlaschiha: Jaqen H'ghar Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon
RECAP GAME OF THRONES 'Garden Of Bones' Episode 2.04 (#14) HBO:
Arya is taken to Harrenhal, along with Gendry, Hot Pie and the other prisoners. At Harrenhal, the Mountain makes his first season 2 appearance while we meet The Tickler for the first time. Arya first begins reciting her “nightly prayer”--repeating the names of those she intends to kill: “Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the Hound.” Her experience in the camp has added a name to that list, though: Polliver, one of the Lannister guards who abused her fellow prisoners. Gendry is chosen to be the Tickler’s next victim but Lord Tywin Lannister arrives just in time. He scolds the Mountain and his men for not putting his captives to work. He orders them to find work for the prisoners and immediately recognizing Arya for the girl that she is, takes Arya as his cupbearer. Gendry is enlisted as a smith.
Meanwhile, the 'Young Wolf', King of the North Robb Stark, wins a great victory against the Lannister forces. However, he gets a reality check from 'Talisa,' a pseudonym apparently, for Jeyne Westerling (Oona Chaplin). Talisa saves a Lannister soldier’s life by amputating his leg, while Robb holds him down. Later she challenges Robb on his plan after he wins the war, to which Robb replies, he doesn’t know.
Richard Madden as King Robb Stark and Oona Chaplin as Talisa'
Back in King’s Landing, King Joffrey is punishing Sansa for her brother’s victory. Thankfully, Tyrion arrives and puts a stop to it.
Later, Joff's uncle Tyrion sends him prostitutes as a present after his sellsword Bronn, suggests that maybe Joff might benefit getting un'clogged' (ew). We quickly see that Joffrey isn't interested in getting off sexually, rather he orders Ros to beat the other prostitute at crossbow-point to send a message to his uncle. While we don’t see Tyrion receive Joff’s message, we do see him discover Lancel Lannister's secret (he's bedding Queen Regent Cersei) and use it turn him into an informer.
Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, 'Dragon Mother' Daenerys has arrived at the gates of Qarth, “the greatest city that ever was or will be.” Her stubbornness pays off as her threat—“turn us away and we will burn you first”—impresses, and after some deliberation outside of the city gates, Dany’s khalasar is finally allowed entrance to the city after Xaro Xhoan Daxos invokes ‘sumai’, agreeing to stand for her.
Littlefinger arrives at Renly’s camp with a message for Catelyn: Tyrion wishes to trade Jaime Lannister for Sansa and Arya. As a gesture of goodwill, Littlefinger delivers Ned’s bones to Catelyn.
The next day, Stannis arrives on the scene to treat with Renly, both men wanting to take the throne in King’s Landing. Stannis, the “charmless” elder, believes the crown is his by divine right. Younger brother Renly has many friends and has gathered a much larger force but he can’t know his brother’s secret weapon—the “child” his high priestess Melisandre will be bearing him later that night. Stannis delivers the ultimatum, Renly has until dawn to surrender and bend the knee. That night, Stannis sends Davos and Melisandre to the shore. There, in a cave beneath Renly’s camp, Melisandre disrobes, lies on the ground and gives birth to a shadow demon.
Melisandre gives birth to a shadow demon spawn (HBO):
For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1. Connect with Game of Thrones on Facebook & Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/gameofthrones http://www.twitter.com/gameofthrones - #gameofthrones
AFTER THE JUMP: GAME OF THRONES Episode 2.04 EXTRAS:
JOHNNY DEPP as vampire Barnabas Collins in a scene from TIM BURTON'S film DARK SHADOWS in theatres on May 11 2012:
DARK SHADOWS Official UK Trailer (2012) Johnny Depp, Tim Burton Movie HD:
SYNOPSIS: In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet--or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.
Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath).
The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.
There have been a lot of remembrances of Jonathan which have appeared on the Internet since yesterday. I’m proud and honored that mine has been quoted and linked to by many sites. But I want to share two posts I read this morning which are special and revealing.
The first is from Jonathan’s hometown newspaper The Spec and includes wonderful quotes from Jonathan’s nephews and friends about Jonathan’s everyday life in Ancaster.
The second is from The Plain Dealer. Mark Dawidziak writes with such insight. It really is the best appreciation of Jonathan that I’ve read so far.
Jonathan Frid, best known for playing vampire Barnabas Collins on ABC's Dark Shadows, has died. He was 87. The actor died on April 13 of natural causes at Juravinski Hospital in Ontario, Canada, according to Digital Spy.
Dark Shadows, a gothic soap opera, aired from 1966 to 1971 and drew nearly 20 million viewers at the height of its popularity. Frid joined the show in 1967 as Barnabas Collins, a vampire returning to his family's estate, and quickly became the star of the show.
Above: On the set of Dark Shadows - Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen
"May Jonathan Frid, 'our reluctant vampire,' live on in our hearts!" Frid's co-star, Kathryn Leigh Scott, wrote on her website. "How blessed I am to have known this dear man and to have such wonderful memories of him, both on screen and off. ... He was irascible, irreverent, funny, caring, lovable and thoroughly professional, and in the end became the whole reason why kids ran home from school to watch Dark Shadows."
Before his death, Frid, who also starred in the TV movie The Devil's Daughter and the horror film, Seizure, filmed a cameo appearance for Tim Burton's forthcoming big-screen remake of Dark Shadows, in which Johnny Depp will play Barnabas. The film is set to be released May 11.
Johnny Depp on Jonathan Frid's Death:
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Johnny Depp paid tribute to his "Dark Shadows" predecessor Jonathan Frid on Thursday, telling the Los Angeles Times that the first time he met Frid was "elegant and magical." Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins from 1967 to 1971 on the soap opera, died April 13 at the age of 87, though news of his death began to filter out on Thursday. "Jonathan Frid was the reason I used to run home from school to watch ‘Dark Shadows,'" Depp told the paper. "His elegance and grace was an inspiration then and will continue to remain one forever more. When I had the honor to finally meet him... generously passed the torch of Barnabas." Depp, who called Frid "a true original," plays Collins in the big-screen adaptation of "Dark Shadows," which hits theaters on May 11.
Frid has a bit part in the film, as a party guest. According to Depp, when he met Frid, the elder actor was " elegant and magical as I had always imagined."
'I won’t ever forget the moment when the two Barnabas Collinses met, one in his late 80s and the other in his mid-40s, each with their wolf’s head canes. Jonathan took his time scrutinizing his successor’s appearance. “I see you’ve done the hair,” Jonathan said to Johnny Depp, “but a few more spikes.” Depp, entirely in character, replied, “Yes, we’re doing things a bit differently.' -KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
NURSE JACKIE - Season 4 EPISODE 3 - "The Wall" - Edie Falco (SHO)
NURSE JACKIE - Season 4 EPISODE 3 - "The Wall" - Lenny Jacobson, Peter Facinelli, Edie Falco, Stephen Wallem and Eve Best:
(David M. Russell/Showtime)
As I've said before, NURSE JACKIE's season 4 debut episodes are really good.
Jackie and many other main characters are facing circumstances that would have seem unimaginable or ludicrous at least, just a season ago. But here we are with "Jackie' in rehab, OHara pregnant (and happy about it!). Akalitus has been demoted to working the floor at the hospital. Kevin is living separately from Jackie who (hypocritically) threw him out upon hearing his admission/confession that he'd had a fling. Jackie herself was flinging around with hospital pharmacy dispenser,'Eddie,' who like almost everyone else at the hospital, did not know that Jackie was married with kids. To say that Eddie is distraught over the turn of events regarding Jackie (and his job) is a great understatement.
There's new cast addition Bobby Cannavale who plays a sincere-sounding, but not really fully-comprehending, 'Dr. Cruz.,' Cruz represents the hospital chain that bought up 'All Saint's'.
Cannavale's IRL son Jake, has been getting as much face time thus far this season as his dad as 'Charlie', Jackie's compadre in rehab. I think you'll really like their story arc.
Going back to my original thought that the Nurse Jackie characters are facing unpredicted or hugely disruptive situations in season 4: Jackie now has alienated those closest to her, including Ohara and Grace, Jackie's eldest, long-troubled daughter. With no one to bare her in-recovery, detoxing soul to, Jackie's clicking with fellow drug addict, 'Jake' may make the differences in recovery for either one or even both of them.
Jake Cannavale as "Charlie Cruz':
NURSE JACKIE Episode 4.03 Synopsis: 'The Wall' - Despite her counselor's warnings, Jackie leaves rehab and returns to a much-changed All Saints, where working sober for the first time leaves her feeling easily rattled. Meanwhile, Zoey second-guesses her relationship with Lenny; Eddie reveals to Jackie that Kevin knows about their affair; and Grace presents Jackie with a list of demands.
Laura Silverman as 'Laura' NURSE JACKIE Episode 4.03
NEXT WEEK (4.29.12): Episode Detail: 'Slow Growing Monsters' - Nurse Jackie Grace learns that her mother has been in rehab, forcing Jackie to race her daughter to Kevin's before she spills the beans. Later, Cruz docks Jackie's pay over some purloined items; and Jackie sets up an AA rendezvous with Charlie, who turns up in bad shape.
Nurse Jackie co-creators/showrunners Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius are leaving the Showtime comedy after four seasons, Deadline reports.
A new showrunner has not yet been named, but Showtime is already in discussions with a candidate to work alongside star/executive producer Edie Falco and executive producer Richie Jackson, according to the site... Nurse Jackie kicked off its fourth season earlier this month and enjoyed a ratings bump, averaging 653,000 viewers.
AFTER THE JUMP: MORE SCENES FROM NURSE JACKIE EPISODE 4.03:
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont in Episode 14 of Game of Thrones (HBO Sundays):
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #14 Preview VIDEO:
Tune in to the new season of "Game Of Thrones" every Sunday night at 9PM. For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1.
Lena Headey as Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Episode 14 (or 15) of Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO)
Aimee Richardson as Princess Myrcella in Episode 14 (or 15) of Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO):
Game of Thrones Episode: "Garden of Bones" Season 2, Episode 4 -
Original Air Date: Apr 22, 2012
Episode #14 Synopsis:
Tyrion steps in when Joffrey holds Sansa accountable for Robb Stark's recent decisive victory on the battlefield, though the ill-tempered king finds another target for his cruelty. Meanwhile, Arya and Gendry are imprisoned at Harrenhal, where they witness unspeakable acts of torture; Daenerys and the khalasar seek salvation at the prosperous city of Qarth; and Stannis calls on Davos' past as a smuggler to carry out a secret mission.
Guest Cast: Stephen Dillane: Stannis Baratheon Michael McElhatton: Roose Bolton Charles Dance: Tywin Lannister Natalie Dormer: Margaery Tyrell Carice van Houten: Melisandre Anthony Morris: The Tickler Nicholas Blane: Spice King Ian Beattie: Meryn Trant Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon Fintan McKeown: Amory Lorch Joe Dempsie: Gendry Eugene Simon: Lancel Lannister Gwendoline Christie: Brienne Liam Cunningham: Davos Seaworth Tony Way: Dontos Hollard Ian Whyte: Gregor Clegane Ian Hanmore: Pyat Pree (TVGuide.com)
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #13 VIDEO
Game Of Thrones Season 2: RECAP #13 VIDEO
Episode thirteen, entitled “What Is Dead May Never Die" BEST SCENES RECAP:
Best scenes in episode #13:
Who is the snitch?:
'In the book, this scene works well with Tyrion’s internal monologue counting off each of his offers but that obviously needed to be adapted for the visual medium of television.
What writer Bryan Cogman and director Alik Sakharov did, having Tyrion’s three offers all come in one scene with seamless cuts, was perfect and a wonderful example of taking a memorable sequence from the books and adapting it to screen while using the strengths of the visual medium to make it different, but just as good.'
Brienne of Tarth:
Not a disappointment
Though I'm relatively new to the world of a Game of Thrones, it became clear quickly when speaking of characters introduced in the second installment of the "A Song of Ice and Fire' series that 'Brienne of Tarth' (not 'Lady' Brienne, TYVM) is a fan favourite. The actor portraying her is Gwendoline Christie and at a height dwarfing many, she seems to physically suit the role terrifically and her personality seems spot on, too.
Yoren, we hardly knew ye:
Francis Magee did a really nice turn as Yoren, the 'wandering crow' who at season one's end shielded Arya from actually seeing her father's beheading and has kept her safe thus far under the pretext of collecting orphan boys as The Wall recruits. Arya was 'Arry' a' boy', but her and Yorn's luck especially, ran out when King Joffery's posse, sent in search of King Robert's bastard Gendry, stormed the gates of Yoren's haven with it's ragged band of boys. Yoren went down vastly outnumbered and fighting hard.
Theon Greyjoy is a Very Bad Boy:
Theon (the Ironborn) Greyjoy – Alfie Allen is making a memorable impression in season 2 with a compelling arc that paints a picture of the son that Balon Greyjoy handed over as a guarantee that he would war no more. Robb Stark has sent Theon into the lion's den to the Iron Islands to broker an alliance with Theon's father, Lord Balon Greyjoy and Allen is doing a doing a bang-up job showing the internal conflict of Theon’s character. I actually felt sorry for him this episode. And that baptism scene was perfect. “What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.”
Recapping this episode:
We spent a good while in King’s Landing, where Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) made three different offers in the hopes of uncovering Cersei’s snitch. Pycelle was ferreted both as Cersei's informant and as a traitor to the preceding King's Hands and so Tyrion ordered him thrown into the Black Cells.
In his role as both King's Hand and rule-breaker, Tyrion had the power to broker a set-up where the very bored and restless Shae became Sansa’s handmaiden. He also set Littlefinger to long lost almost love Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) about releasing Jamie Lannister, and had a drink with Varys the Spider, giving Tyrion a lot of face time in this episode.
ALFIE ALLEN AS THEON GREYJOY in GAME OF THRONES Episode 13:
'Beyond the Wall, Craster kicked out the Night’s Watch and Mormont revealed to Jon Snow that he knows what Craster does with his sons. Before leaving, Sam gave Gilly a token and promised that he would return.
At Winterfell, Bran continues to have his wolf dreams. When he explains him to Luwin, the maester explains to him that magic no longer exists in the world. Big help he is.
On the Iron Islands, Balon revealed his plans to Theon; he plans to take the North by capturing and holding the Neck and eventually conquering or accepting the surrender of the remaining holdfasts and castles.
Theon contemplates warning Robb of this surprise attack, but decides to turn his back on his adopted family and align with his true family. This was a small, quiet but hugely emotional scene with vast likely consequences, of course.'
Renly and his camp of 100,000 strong are quite an impressive sight but are they all for show with little substance?
The conquering blue knight was revealed as Brienne of Tarth, a woman, and then appointed to Renly’s Kingsguard. Later that night, Renly tried to consummate his marriage with Margaery, but failed. Margaery has a highly prgmatic understanding of the importance of an heir and offers a threesome with her brother to help Renly get the job done. That was not in the book. So go HBO! Because you can. :)
Lastly, Arya has a heart-to-heart with Yoren before Amory Lorch and his band attacks. Arya saves Jaqen, while Yoren gets killed and the rest of the group gets captured. Lommy is killed and Arya, in a moment of exceptionally quick thinking, tells the Lannister soldiers that he was Gendry.
Q: What do you have on Ayra and Gendry or cutie Jon Snow on Game of Thrones?
A: How do we put this in a way that won't make you freak out for the next week? Hmm, we dont think there is one so we'll give it to you straight. Arya (Maisie Williams) and Gendry (Joe Dempsie) are in imminent danger. Gendry in particular will cross paths with someone who has a disgusting and horrifying way of getting answers. Let's just say this particular method of gaining information isn't in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin Spoiler Chat Daily: Is Anybody Safe on Vampire Diaries? Plus, Glee, Game of Thrones and More!
AFTER THE JUMP: Game Of Thrones Season 2: Burning Of The 7 Gods - Game Of Thrones Season 2: Religions Of Westeros - Game Of Thrones Season 2: Anatomy Of A Scene: Tyrion - Game Of Thrones Season 2: The Story So Far (Episodes 11-13)
Check out the Stark kids' rendition of the Game of Thrones Season 1 Show Open, one of the many features found on the Game of Thrones Season 1 DVD/Blu-ray.
GAME OF THRONES OPENING SEQUENCE & MUSIC VIDEO featuring Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and Maisie Williams (Arya/Arry Stark).
Game of Thrones Season 1: Stark Kids Sing Show Open
I wasn't going to watch it but on 2nd thought did--it's not the kids singing--it's the opening GoT montage music with them humming and do-do-do-do-ing through it, then a intro from each in their 'real' voices. Really quite fun.
Head to the HBO Shop to order Game of Thrones on DVD or Blu-ray. SHOP: http://itsh.bo/Hv0PFc Connect with Game of Thrones on Facebook & Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/gameofthrones http://www.twitter.com/gameofthrones - #gameofthrones
Morgan Freeman as Lucius and Christian Bale as Batman in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Release date: July 20th, 2012)
Fun times! It had slipped my mind that the final film in the Dark Knight trilogy was coming to theatres this July!
I don't think it warrants a confession but it is something that I'm sure people have diverse opinions on. I have a very long history with Batman starting with comic books, continuing with the 1960's live-action show (which I thought was hokey) and many iterations of cartoons and, of course, the Batman franchise on the big screen which has included actors George Clooney and Michael Keaton inhabiting Batman.
I think though that every other portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman pales in comparison to what actor Christian Bale and director Christopher Nolan have created with The Dark Knight trilogy. Of course, many more were involved in making it The Best Batman (Evar!) including some very memorable turns by top-notch actors. Still, Christian Bale to me, was and is the very best Batman in film.
Tom Hardy as Bane andChristian Bale as Batman in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Release date: July 20th, 2012)
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Trailer #2 - Official (HD)
As was reported yesterday, Entertainment Weekly is launching its massive Summer Movie Preview this Friday. And within its pages are new The Dark Knight Rises photos. ... We now have a better look at those first three photos featuring Christian Bale as Batman, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, and Tom Hardy as Bane. We also have a new photo of Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as GCPO John Blake.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as GCPO John Blake in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Release date: July 20th, 2012)
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES comes to theaters July 20th, 2012 and stars Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard &, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan.
The Dark Knight Rises Official Trailer [HD] The Dark Knight Rises Official Trailer [HD] Director: Christopher Nolan Release: 7/20/2012 Studio: Warner Brothers
Maisie Williams in GAME OF THRONES season 2 (HBO) as Arya Stark/Arry /Nan:
GAMES OF THRONES Episode 13 Preview: 'What Is Dead May Never Die' Season 2, Episode Three Synopsis:
Tyrion finds Shae a job, and devises a clever ruse to ferret out a snitch at the Red Keep. Meanwhile, Jon Snow's compassion gets him and Mormont's crew in hot water at Craster's Keep, but Sam Tarly has a parting gift for Gilly; Catelyn pitches an alliance to Renly Baratheon in the Stormlands; Theon takes a bold stance to get back in his father's good graces; and Arya must think quickly when there's trouble on the road north. Original Air Date: Apr 15, 2012 Guest Cast Tom Wlaschiha: Jaqen H'ghar Conleth Hill: Varys James Cosmo: Jeor Mormont Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon Donald Sumpter: Maester Luwin John Bradley: Samwell Tarly Julian Glover: Grand Maester Pycelle Francis Magee: Yoren Robert Pugh: Craster Ron Donachie: Rodrick Cassel Sam Callis: Gold Cloak Hannah Murray: Gilly Patrick Malahide: Balon Greyjoy Sibel Kekilli: Shae Fintan McKeown: Amory Lorch Natalie Dormer: Margaery Tyrell Gwendoline Christie: Brienne Gemma Whelan: Yara Greyjoy Joe Dempsie: Gendry
Game of Thrones Season 2: Recap #12:
Episode 2.12 was very good but I must admit that Game Of Thrones the show is more enjoyable now that I'm reading the book(s). Often you just cannot convey a character's 'interior life' on the small screen and for me, having the book just makes the story better. So far, the 2nd book in the series, 'A Clash Of Kings' is a quick-moving, enjoyable read, too.
I bought the first book in the George R. R. Martin series, "A Song of Ice and Fire" series but realized having already watched A Game Of Thrones, season 1 on HBO that I was likely to make reading and viewing it more difficult for myself in regard to following the many threads of the storyline. Picking up the series, having watched the HBO GoT season 1 when it first aired, and now whilst watching season 2, reading is going really well thus far (only 150 pages in but moving a a good clip for me).
Peter Dinklage as 'Tyrion Lannister' in Game Of Thrones - Episode 12
Peter Dinklage as "Tyrion Lannister" and Jerome Flynn as 'Bronn" (Tyrion's sellsword):
Though I have not yet gone back and read of the particulars of the relationship of Tyrion and his sellsword, Bronn, I think a good job was done showing in season 1 that Bronn is a very good sellsword, Tyrion is accutely aware of this, as entrusting his life to Bronn would strongly imply. This season 2 scene established how the two seem to be seemlessly working in tandem, setting about clearing out the human detritus (in this case, the guy that chopped off Ned's head and was finacially rewarded with land and a seat on the smalll council for it) left in the wake of Ned Stark's murder (and the deaths of both the King Baratheon after the highly suspicious death of the King's Hand that preceeded Ned's. So I guess both Bronn and Tyrion ought to keep a very close watch on Tyrion's noggin.
Cersei (Lena Heady) makes clear to Tyrion that his very existence "is a joke," as her, Jaime's & Tyrion's mother died when she gave birth to Tyrion. Cersei clearly detests Tyrion and rumours of her conspiring to kill him off should be taken seriously. Obviously, King Joffery has paid close attention to mummy over the years.
I'm learning that _this_ smile from 'Tyrion' is covering up a vast amount of rage and, that whomever brought it on (Cersei, in this case) will be made to pay.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #12:
Take a look inside Episode #12 of "Game Of Thrones." For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1.
Edie Falco as 'Jackie' and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) as a drug buddy who dies while doing drugs with Jackie:
EDIT #2/So the opening episode was pretty great, right? Just the beginning! Here's a SPOILER about 2 characters for whom sharp eyes will draw a distinct connection!
'Nurse Jackie': Jackie wouldn't be Jackie if she put in her 28 days at rehab and it was smooth sailing from there. Of course she leaves early, and of course life conspires to make continued sobriety a difficult proposition. And, no, it's not a coincidence that her new boss and her new rehab buddy share the same last name -- on and off screen"
Synopsis: In the Season 4 premiere, big changes are afoot when Jackie, separated from Kevin, hits rock bottom and realizes she needs professional help, while All Saints is taken over by a corporation whose new director Mike Cruz (Bobby Cannavale) makes a shocking personnel change. Also, Kevin does not react well when he learns the truth about Jackie and Eddie, and O'Hara reveals a stunning secret.
Bobby Cannavale as Mike Cruz and Edie Falco as Jackie in "Nurse Jackie," Sundays on Showtime beginning April 8.
Nurse Jackie: 'Karma's a Bitch' Nurse Jackie Episode 4.01
Detail: 'Kettle Kettle Black Black' - As the fourth season opens, All Saints has been taken over by a multinational corporation and placed in the care of an innovative no-nonsense doctor who is revved up about making changes to the hospital and staff. Meanwhile, Kevin has moved to a new apartment, but is seeking to reconcile with Jackie. As for Jackie, she runs into problems when a guy she picked up has a heart attack in her home. Later, back at the hospital, Mrs. Akalitus is given an ultimatum by the new management.(SOURCE: TVGuide.com)
'When the promos start you know that the biggest part of the wait is over.'***
HBO producer Jenn Grauer was present at a cast interview for behind the scenes promos with Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgård and posted the following pic on Twitter.
Shameless Episode 2.11: "Just Like the Pilgrims Intended" Synopsis:
Fiona's Thanksgiving plans get put on the back burner when Frank tries to get Monica out of bed and help her out of her depression. Meanwhile, Estefania and Marco's rocky reunion takes a turn for the better when Steve offers to surrender his identity so Marco can stay in the country and marry. Later, Karen goes into labor; and Debbie worries that depression may run in the Gallagher family. Original Air Date: Mar 25, 2012 Guest Cast Chloe Webb: Monica Joan Cusack: Sheila (SOURCE: TVGuide.com)
This week's episode of SHAMELESS looks pretty frantic, which I know for Shameless is par for the course but it contrasts very differently from last week's episode 10. I felt episode 10 was really sad on two points in particular which realistically underscored how being lower-income eliminates or greatly restrains choices that those of us of privilege (middle-class and above) don't even have to consider.
First, was Fiona's attempt to get her GED which was going fine until her GED teacher urged her to take business classes so she'd be sooner/better prepared to get a decent job, which just a couple months earlier had been offered to her at the club. Fiona sucked up her pride and went back to the club only to find they had nothing for her but she insisted she could do it and had a trial gig running a special event all lined up--until Monica disrupted the entire Gallagher household so much that Fiona was forced to drop it all and resume her role as 'caretaker of everyone'.
Though we've been focusing on Karen and Lip's baby situation it wasn't Karen, but the circumstances surrounding Ian's 'girlfriend' Mandy's pregnancy that came to the fore. Lip suspected that he (Lip) could have been the dad and Mandy's father was convinced that Ian, who is gay, did the deed and was intent on killing him. Just in the nick of time, Mandy short-circuited her father's murder attempt by telling him--again, she said--that the pregnancy was the result of his having sex with her. Turns out her dad blacks out, 'mistaking' her for her dead mother and has sex with her, not recalling anything of it afterwards. Both events were just really heart-rending, despite the funny that permeates every episode. What Ian did to help Mandy once he knew the truth was really sweetly touching as well.
So this week: SPOILER!!! Monica attempts suicide and Carl's shooting of a bald eagle gets mish-mashed in the preview to make it look like Monica shot herself. Also in episode 11, Frank is going to be shaking his brother down for some of Grammy's cash-out.
Only one more episode of SHAMELESS coming up in season 2 so stay tuned!
SYNOPSIS Shameless Episode 2.11 (Showtime) SPOILERS: It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his twin brother Clayton.
Shameless: Sleeping with Jody Sheila reveals her affair with Jody to Karen.
Shameless: Upstanding Citizen Fiona confronts Steve about sheltering Lip.
Emilia Clarke as 'Daenerys Targaryen' in GAME OF THRONES Season 2 (HBO)
When Game of Thrones premiered on HBO last season I sat down in front of the teevee for exactly three reasons--and none of them had anything to do with Games of Thrones.
Since I'd seen advertisements for the show whilst watching other HBO programming, I was aware that 2 actors I like were in GoT: Sean Bean (Ned Stark) and Lena Heady (Queen Cersei Lannister). But as much as I enjoy the two, they were not a compelling enough reason to watch the new series.
No, it was the fact that my 18-year-old son had read the entire book series up to that point and asked me if I'd planned to watch it as he was--that was the tipping point where I said, "What the heck" and cajoled his dad to join us as well. Despite this being a cable television show, I went on the assumption that the voracious reader that resides with us had never steered me wrong in his choice of book recommendations and wouldn't do so now with this book series adaption for TV (though he provided plenty of disclaimers that he had no idea if the show would be any good). Granted, I read but a fraction of what he does, but what I have read that he recommends is always well worth reading. Also, in the case of HBO's Game of Thrones--season 1, his having read the book series greatly enhanced the viewing experience for me as I could 'cheat' by asking him to clarify aspects of the show's characters, because as I stated then, I was 'never going to read the books'--I simply did not have the time.
I now know of some very specific events--as millions of "A Song of Ice and Fire" aficionados do, but I'm very short on details. Now, going forward into the fabulously successful series' season 2 I've decided to write about it and since I have a rule that if it's been written and then adapted for the screen (small or big) I have to read the source material, my copy of the first volume in the series is on it's way as I type this.
I'll be back with plenty more but for now I hope you'll have a look at the videos I've embedded wherein you'll enjoy 'a vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.'
Also, I made almost 200 nice quality screencaps of the actors interviewed both in and out of costume. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) is particualarly captivating and there's plenty of eye candy as well as insights offered up via Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays 'Jaime Lannister' as well as the swoon-inducing Kit Harington (Jon Snow).
Enjoy!
Game of Thrones: 'You Win or You Die' VIDEO:
Enter the world of the hit HBO series 'Game of Thrones' in this vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons:
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons Take an inside look at the weapons created for Game of Thrones Season 2. For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/gHfJPE.
From E! Online:
'A non-spoilery sophomore-season primer from creators and executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
"This season is largely about how [Ned Stark's] death leads to a series of events that ultimately culminate in a war, pulling all the different factions in this world into open-armed conflict with each other," says Weiss. "Almost every character is directly affected by the war in some way or another. Even Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who are on far different corners of the world, feel the effects" after some characters lose their heads. (You could say the whole kingdom goes mad!) "I think fans of the show can expect to be surprised by some of what happens," says Weiss, adding that "we're taking approaches that might surprise [fans of the books] as well. A lot of the characters that George created are so rich and so wonderful that you often find yourself wondering what would happen if this one met that one…So there will definitely be some nice surprises [and] excitement for both longtime readers and newcomers to the material." Benioff points out,
"We're not looking at our series as a book-by-book adaptation so much as an adaptation of George's entire saga. In other words, in our minds season two is not A Clash of Kings [the series' second book]."
"It is the second season of our adaptation of [the entire saga], A Song of Ice and Fire."
With psychopathic kings, black magic, dragons and direwolves afoot, it's no wonder that Princess Arya learns much too young the meaning of the Valyrian phrase Valar morghulis: All men must die.
Though I was not at all sure last year that I'd like HBO's epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones which is based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy-book series, A Song Of Ice and Fire, I gave it a try because my teenage son had read the entire series up to that point and the HBO television adaption qualified as a show the family could watch together (he was age 18 at the time--with R-rated content, GoT is not a kid's show). Though it felt a bit sluggish at times in building momentum, by series' end I was fully engaged. Now, just 10 days prior to it's season 2 premiere on April 1 @ 9 p.m., I've made a choice to embrace the television series and may even attempt a dive into the books themselves. Helping me with this choice is Entertainment Weekly, that due to it's close kinship with HBO (they are both a division of Time Warner) has been granted some really nifty behind-the-scenes and spoilery access to the grand-in-scope endeavor. Proving that point are the scans I'm sharing here from the March 23 issue which I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope you will too. If the point to the photo-drenched article was to entice and excite I can vouch that it did the trick for me. Have a read and enjoy! (Be sure to click until the full article enlarges in the photo album below. You may have to zoom a bit on your end to see them full-sized.)
Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Moretz, Eva Green, Gulliver McGrath, Bella Heathcote, Johnny Depp, Ray Shirley, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Dark Shadows
DARK SHADOWS looks great! Love Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaborations. 'Shadows' the TV show was so terribly written--it's the characters that counted--and Barnabas was such a square. Looks like he's loosened up a bit.
BTW, have you seen Chloe Moretz in the remake of "Let the Right One In" called "Let Me In"? I would watch anything with her in it. In that film she played the vampire.
And bonus! We have Helena Bonham Carter and Michelle Pfeiffer, too. It should be awesome.
You knew the minute that Burton/Depp's names appeared on the production which if I'm not mistaken, Depp has been trying to get made for years, that the film at a minimum would be very, very strange. I did not expect funny, though.
Obviously, Barnabas and David Collins are playing with 'monsters':
SYNOPSIS: In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet--or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.
Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath).
The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.
Official Site: http://www.darkshadowsmovie.com
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Eva Green, Chloe Moretz, Bella Heathcote, Thomas McDonell, Gulliver McGrath Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith
So far, all the focus has been on a sinister looking Johnny Depp as a back-from-the-buried vampire in forthcoming Tim Burton film Dark Shadows...but 20 new HQ film stills now show the rest of the star-studded cast - looking a little less pale, but equally creepy.
Helena Bonham Carter, who plays psychiatrist Dr Julia Hoffman in the film, sports a orange curled wig, bright blue eye shadow and frumpy dress in the photograph which shows the characters looking rather menacingly at the camera.
The U.S. director's interpretation of the U.S. sixties soap opera sees Depp's character Barnabas Collins as a rich and powerful playboy who breaks the heart of Angelique. Played by Eva Green, Angelique is the one who turns Collins into a vampire and also buries him alive.
However, two centuries later, Collins is freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He finds cousin, family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has brought psychiatrist Hoffman to live at Collinwood to help with her with her family's various troubles, including her brother Roger's (Jonny Lee Miller) troubled son, David (Gulliver McGrath). Bella Heathcote co-stars as nanny Victoria Winters, Ray Shirley is Mrs Johnson and Jackie Earle Haley as Willie Loomis.
The gothic-horror tale is Depp's eighth collaboration with his close friend, director Tim Burton and was filmed in the UK last year. The 48-year-old actor says he wanted to bring the classic look of horror back to cinema for his character. 'Over the years all these vampire TV shows, the movies have come out and nobody looks like a vampire - what happened?' Depp recently told MTV.
Dressing up once again: Depp collaborates with Tim Burton to play vampire Barnabus Collins in the gothic-horror tale Modern version: The film is an adaptation of the sixties cult soap opera and also stars Michelle Pfeiffer.
'I adored Dracula and still do. All those wonderful horror films. This was an opportunity to go into something which doesn't really exist any more, which is classic make-up and a classic monster character. 'So that was really the inspiration and what Tim and I talked about a lot.' And Depp's character certainly looks sinister, with a pale white face, dark circles under his eyes, ultra long fingernails and a slicked down hair style.
'We're changing it a little bit,' Burton previously told MTV about his take on the TV show. 'I wouldn't do it if it felt like it was just doing the same thing.
First look: Depp was spotted filming the movie on a beach with co-star Heathcote in Devon last year 'For me, it's about trying to go back to the original drawings and kind of capture that spirit a little bit more of what the drawings are. 'It feels different even though it's a similar story, but we're kind of expanding it a bit.'
PHOTO: Dark Shadows is Depp's eighth collaboration with his close friend Tim Burton.
Depp's work with Burton in the past has seen him recreate famous characters such as Willy Wonka in 2005's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and the Mad Hatter in 2010's Alice In Wonderland.
CALIFORNICATION - Episode 5.09 'At The Movies' on Showtime Sunday night:
Californication: 'No Means No'
Charlie asks Hank if he can be Tyler's manager.
Californication Episode: "At the Movies" Season 5, Episode 9 Episode Synopsis:
On the first day of production for screenwriter Hank's new movie, he's reunited with the director of his previous film in hopes they'll strike cinema gold again. Later, Hank has a friendly encounter with the film's leading lady, which an upset Samurai perceives as cutting in on his action. (TVGuide)
On the first day of production on Hank Moody's latest movie "Santa Monica Cop," Stu has brought back his "F--king and Punching" director in hopes of creating a cinematic masterpiece, but Hank's rendezvous with the film's leading lady puts his relationship with Sam in jeopardy. Luckily for Hank, Stu and the production's crew, Charlie has a backup plan. (Showtime)
Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2012
Guest Cast: Sarah Power Jonathan Kasdan Big Jim Calloway
Californication: 'Slay Dragons'
Charlie meets with Tyler (and they both do the thing they do).
David Duchovny as "Hank Moody" in Californication - Episode 5.09 'At The Movies':
Next on Episode 9 -
Hank's rendezvous with a leading lady puts his movie in jeopardy.
Louise Fletcher as 'Granny Gallagher' in SHAMELESS Episode 2.08 'Parenthood' (3/04):
It looks as if 'Granny Gallagher' is choosing the when and how of her exit in SHAMELESS episode 2.08. Louise Fletcher has done such an excellent job of portraying Frank's mother (of all mothers). I'm going to miss her, though I doubt Frank will. In other news, Lip (Jeremy Allen White), as mature as he can be at times, does not seem to be reasoning out the knocked-up Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) situaton, rather he's reacting strictly viscerally whilst she acts all unconcerned (with emphasis on the word 'acts'). She's just as mind-blown by the most recent turn of events as he is, she's just too emotionally closed off to show it. Or, maybe she is a sociopath like Grandma Gallagher, too!
Shameless: SNEAK PEEK - 'Dying is Bad'
Ian tries to warn Frank about Mickey's plan to kill him.
Shameless: SNEAK PEEK - 'Market for Babies'
Lip is upset by Karen's reaction to giving up their child.
SHAMELESS - Episode 2.08 'Parenthood':
With Grammy near death, Frank exits the house but walks in on Ian and Mickey locked in passion at the Kash and Grab; when Lip drops out of school, Fiona proposes a deal where they both earn their diplomas, but Lip acts out and gets himself expelled when he realizes that Karen plans to sell their baby to the highest bidder. (Showtime Synopsis)
Don't Forget!!!
DON'T FORGET: Shameless episode 5.08 'Parenthood' airs Sunday 03/04 @ 9:00 PM on Showtime, (not this Sunday, but next!)
TVGuide.com SPOILERS Extended Synopsis for SHAMELESS Episode 2.09 'Hurricane Monica':
Shameless Episode: "Hurricane Monica" Episode Synopsis - Air Date: Mar 11, 2012: Season 2, Episode 9 Monica blows back into town and immediately hooks up with Frank for more shenanigans, but the kids are left wondering if she's finally here to stay, and Frank is eager to pick up the ashes of his late mother and reclaim the cash he believes she's hidden. Meanwhile, after Fiona kicks out Lip, he kicks around with stops at Karen's and Steve's. Later, Sheila and Jody think the house is haunted by Eddie's ghost. Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2012
Guest Cast Joan Cusack: Sheila Dennis Cockrum: Terry Milkovich Chloe Webb: Monica Gallagher
Nurse Jackie: Rehab (Nurse Jackie Spot) This April 8, it's time for rejoicing, reinventing, rebuilding, and rehab. Nurse Jackie returns for a new season April 8th at 9PM ET/PT
I take it that the portrayal of Jackie Peyton's 28-day 'Disneyland vacation'/stint in rehab will be rendered as honestly as the confines of a 30-minute cable comedy will allow. We've had many, many hours of Nurse Jackie leading up to this 'chose a path' moment in her life. However, if Nurse Jackie were an hour dramedy on the networks we'd just be winding down season 1. That's where I think it's important to be very careful of the timing on 'little shows' like this one.
Nurse Jackie has a powerhouse cast, wonderful directors (Steve Buscemi directed almost all of one season), and sharp writing but the audience is waiting years for some forward movement on Jackie's part and, after watching the Nurse Jackie Season 4 'Rehab' preview in particular, the payoff appears to begin very soon! That's the paradox though, if Jackie gets better, will she still be funny? One would hope yes, and that would be enough to enjoy a few more seasons. My guess is season 4 will be very telling about where Nurse Jackie the show, is headed as well as 'Nurse Jackie' (played by Edie Falco) herself.
Emmy winner Edie Falco returns for season 4 of Nurse Jackie.
Jeremy Allen White as 'Lip Gallagher' and Laura Slade Wiggins as on/off pregnant girlfriend, 'Karen'. They or more precisely he, looks happy for a change--which is nice. She's been looking way-too-happy of late. However happy times may prove short-lived due to **Episode 2.08 Synopsis SPOILER**
Next week part of the TVGuide extended synopsis reads:
'Lip takes Karen to a number of adoption agencies and doesn't like what she has planned,' and even more ominously, 'Lip wants to quit school...'
...which to me says that he's going to ask Karen to allow him to support her and the baby. He may even use the "L" word since he admitted so in Shameless season 1 to his now-estranged brother Ian that he 'thought' he loved her. His behaviour since them only illustrates that he's hopelessly in love with her.
Anyway, back on track to this week's SHAMELESS - Episode 2.07, 'A Bottle of Jean Nate'. I'm so glad that Louise Fletcher made an extended appearance this season! She's aces at playing a geriatric sociopath.
**SPOILER Sadly, according to next week's TVGuide, 'Grammy' will be dying (with Sheila and Jody taking care of her(!) Major bizarreness is gonna have to go down for that situation to come about --but that's nothing unusual on Shameless. Very fun times, indeed.
Louise Fletcher as "Granny Gallagher' in Shameless Season 2 Episode 2.07 (Showtime)
SHAMELESS SNEAK PEEK #1: 'The Traditional Way '
Karen asks Lip to help her get rid of Jody.
Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin in 'Shameless' on Showtime
SHAMELESS Episode 2.07: 'A Bottle of Jean Nate':
Fiona resists kicking Grammy out until her meth lab explodes.
A Bottle of Jean Nate Season 2, Episode 7 Feb 19, 2012 episode details Jasmine throws an end-of-summer blowout and invites Fiona down to David's boat but neglects to inform her that Steve and Estefania will also be on board; Lip tries to get back into Karen's good graces and prepares a prenup for her and Jody. Meanwhile, the Ian and Lip impasse heats up into a physical confrontation; Frank tires of doing Grammy's bidding and wants her out, but Fiona is enjoying the old girl's company.
Emmy Rossum as 'Fiona Gallagher' in 'Shameless' on Showtime, Sundays
SHAMELESS SNEAK PEEK #2: 'Crusty Talons':
Frank asks (TELLS) Fiona to get rid of Grammy.
Shameless Episode: "A Bottle of Jean Nate" Season 2, Episode 7 Extended Synopsis: Jasmine throws an end-of-summer blowout and invites Fiona down to David's boat but neglects to inform her that Steve and Estefania will also be on board; Lip tries to get back into Karen's good graces and prepares a prenup for her and Jody. Meanwhile, the Ian and Lip impasse heats up into a physical confrontation; Frank tires of doing Grammy's bidding and wants her out, but Fiona is enjoying the old girl's company. Original Air Date: Feb 19, 2012 Guest Cast Amy Smart: Jasmine (TVGuide)
Edie Falco and Anna Deavere Smith in Nurse Jackie Season 4
Edie Falco is back in her Emmy®-winning role with a bitingly funny new season of the Showtime Original Series, NURSE JACKIE. Out of excuses, out of tricks and out of control. The healing begins for Nurse Jackie April8th at 9PM ET/PT!
I haven't missed 'Nurse Jackie' as much as I've missed Edie Falco, Eve Best, Anna Deavere Smith and the rest of the stellar cast of the show. Also, I don't think it is unfair, as I noted in my last Nurse Jackie post, to say that season 3 ended in a slightly disappointing way.
But, by all accounts as you'll hear in the behind-the-scenes interviews with the core cast members, season 4 will differ quite markedly from the previous seasons. It's my guess that instead of a show about a drug-addicted nurse, Nurse Jackie will be more about a nurse struggling to conquer her addiction and achieve sobriety.
It is a testament to Edie Falco's deft acting skills that despite Jackie's acting in rather despicable ways to support her habit, we the audience still want to see her survive and thrive--to clean up her act.
I'm really looking forward to the season 4 premiere of Nurse Jackie on Showtime in just under 2 months--April 8th at 9PM ET/PT! Please check back here as I'll have more Nurse Jackie news (and probably some spoilers) as it becomes available and of course, I'll be covering Nurse Jackie week-to-week when the season gets underway.
This season the shift hits the fan. Get a sneak peek look at season 4 of Nurse Jackie. #KARMASABITCH
Grammy Gallagher (Louise Fletcher) shows up on a medical furlough and tries to track down a former meth lab protege that owes her money; Sheila plans Karen's wedding reception; Fiona double dates with Steve and his Brazilian girlfriend, and discovers that Steve is married; Ethel reacts to Clyde's death; Frank discovers the identity of Eddie's insurance beneficiary. (Showtime)
(Tony's new girlfriend is ) 'Laotian, I think.' - Fiona to Steve (!)
Shameless: 'Double Date' SNEAK PEEK
Steve asks Fiona to go out on a double date.
Shameless: 'Interloper' SNEAK PEEK
Sheila gives a speech at Karen's wedding.
I had a hard time screencapping the sneak peek with Joan Cusak as "Sheila" giving a speech at daughter Karen's wedding only to be interrupted in the most profane way by Frank's mother, because I was laughing so hard. "Grammy' (Louise Fletcher) is an uninvited guest or 'interloper' as Sheila yells at her which leaves Grammy is utterly unfazed. She uses a few bleep-inducing, choice words and then whips out her gun and aims for Sheila. Sheila, perhaps to her credit, does not back down one bit but dares Grammy' to bring it. One of the funniest scenes ever in Shameless and that is truly high praise. I love these two veteran actresses duking it out. So well written!
'My parents suck, too.' Fiona to Frank.
Have you ever wondered how Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) became TV's most vile, deadbeat dad? Well, you know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Coming up on Showtime's 'Shameless,'" Grammy Gallagher (Louise Fletcher) is paying her son Frank a visit, straight out of jail, and she's bringing a whole lot of crazy with her.
"Grammy is going to end up mano a mano at Sheila's (Joan Cusack), on Sheila's couch, so that will be interesting," star Emmy Rossum told HuffPost TV. "When we meet Grammy, we finally understand why Frank is the way he is, especially Fiona. Grammy is Frank to the Nth degree. She's even worse. She's scheming, and when she comes back, the first thing she does when she gets out of jail, on medical furlough, is open up a meth lab in our basement, and she has Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) running it. Fiona is obviously not pleased about that." (cont. after video)
Shameless: 'Grammy's Back' Behind the scenes (Interviews) The cast of Shameless talks about the return of Frank's mother, Peggy Gallagher.
(cont.)
But could Grammy's meth lab lead to a violent encounter for the Gallaghers? "[Grammy] pulls a gun on Sheila," said Rossum. "It's pretty awesome. We love guns this year. Sadly, no guns for FiFi."
Lip (Jeremy Allen White) will also have his fair share of Grammy to deal with, especially when she insults his manhood.
"[Frank is] forced to bathe his mother, and Lip comes in to use the toilet," White told HuffPost TV in January, describing his favorite scene with Grammy. "It's strange because the family is so close in that way, but then Grammy makes fun of Lip. She's like, 'Wow, that's such a tiny pecker. Do you have sex with girls with that thing?' And then Lip comes back and says something funny. Then, Frank comes in and says, 'Yeah, it's so tiny!' It's just this weird, vicious cycle of family cruelty that doesn't stop."
However, Grammy isn't the only estranged Gallagher to return for Season 2. Monica Gallagher (Chloe Webb), Frank's ex-wife and the mother of the boisterous Gallagher brood, will also also return later in the season. It looks like she's cleaned up her act and she's hoping for forgiveness from Fiona.
"Monica, the mother, comes back, and she's seemingly really healthy all of the sudden," revealed Rossum. "She seems to be back on her meds, and Fiona is going to give her another shot, so we'll see how that goes."
David Duchovny as Hank Moody in 'Californication' on Showtime:
Next on CALIFORNICATON Episode 5 PROMO:
Hank and Charlie go on a ride-along with the Santa Monica police department.
(What could go wrong?)
David Duchovny, Evan Handler and RZA in Californicaton Episode 5.05 (SHO) 2012
CALIFORNICATON - Episode 5: The Ride-Along (Synopsis):
Charlie's boyhood dream is realized and Hank's worst nightmare comes true when Samurai Apocalypse invites the boys on a ride-along with the Santa Monica Police Department and takes them on a joyride that goes sexually awry for Charlie; Richard hits the bottle at a crowded Venice restaurant but Hank and the boys arrive to save the day for Karen and Becca, and Tyler realizes he's seen Sam somewhere before.
Californication Episode 5.05, 'The Ride-Along' Sneek Peeks:
'You like those odds?!' - Fiona (Emmy Rossum) to brother 'Lip' (Jeremy Allen White) about the very poor chance that Lip is not Karen's baby-daddy.
Watch the sneak peek clip of the shot above. It's a really good scene where Fiona, clearly anxious to talk to 'Lip' about his recently revealed possible paternity of the baby that the now-engaged-to-'Jody,' Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) is carrying.
Lip is clearly not dealing with the news that Karen is pregnant. He found out after trying to get her betrothed, Jody, to cheat on her. Karen found out and confronted Lip, kicking him in the 'nads, sending him to the ground and then kicking him in the side repeatedly whilst disclosing her delicate condition to Lip and the audience in/around the Gallagher pool. Nice.
This episode looks like big fun too as what might be a moment not-quite-revealed about someone who had essentially, been missing since last season--and I don't mean 'Eddie.'
Frank tries to claim Eddie's insurance benefits and pension, despite being a prime suspect in his death; Fiona attends a ritzy wedding with Richard and lies about her background; Lip is devastated by Karen's rejection; Carl rents Frank's room to a hooker. (Source: Showtime)
"Mistress Veronica"
Veronica suspects that Kevin is having an affair.
Next on Episode 5 Frank tries to claim Eddie's benefits; Fiona lies about her past.
'Lip' to 'Fiona' on the potential paternity of Karen's fetus: ...'Could've been the guy on Wolcott with the lazy eye and the Mustang...'
'Showtime has picked up "Shameless, 'House of Lies" and "Californication" for new seasons, the network announced Wednesday:
"Californication" will return for a sixth season, "Shameless" for a third and "House of Lies" for a second. Production on the shows will begin later this year in Los Angeles.
"Shameless," an hour-long dramedy from John Wells, has watched its ratings grow in its sophomore season. It recently exceeded the viewership of the series debut of HBO's "Luck" -- with 1.4 million viewers to "Luck's" 1.1 million viewers. "House of Lies," which airs after "Shameless" on Sundays and stars Don Cheadle, had a strong premiere by the cable network's standards, with more than 1 million viewers, and has built on that as the season has progressed.
Veteran "Californication" is averaging 3 million viewers across all platforms (On Demand, replays and DVR), according to the network.'
David Duchovny and Natalie Zea in Californication - Episode 5.04
Last week's Californication included an homage to 80's-style public hair by (who else?) master perv, Charlie (Evan Handler), Becca's scumbag boyfriend admitting to her that he is in Hank's words, a 'little man-whore', after Hank had prompted the guy by twisting his broken finger then finishing with a threat to 'open a can of whoop-ass on his...ass.''
Finally, though Hank lingered longer than intended in L.A. and was hot to catch his plane back to NYC, finding Becca mourning her lost love prompted him to promise to stay until she didn't need him to (read: foreseeable future).
Californication Season 5, Episode 4 - 'Waiting for the Miracle' Episode 5.04 Synopsis (Showtime):
Hank gets a surprise visit from ex-girlfriend Carrie, and when Karen and Becca surprise Hank with an invite to a dinner party, he's compelled to invite her. And frank sex talk among Marcy, Stu and Bates at the event has some guests heading for the exits. Meanwhile, Charlie has a blind date with a woman who lacks experience in the sex department.
Original Air Date: Jan 29, 2012
Guest Cast Gillian Vigman: Mary Jason Beghe: Richard Bates Natalie Zea: Carrie Pamela S. Adlon: Marcy
Californication: 'Surprise'
Hank's ex from NYC surprises him in Los Angeles.
Californication: 'Hollywood Style'
Hank and his ex attend a dinner party at Karen's house.
Next on Episode 4
Hank reluctantly invites his ex-girlfriend Carrie to a dinner party.
Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher is chased by spurned wife, Lucy Jo Heisner (Brit Morgan)
Seems a very handy thing indeed that 'Fiona' (Emmy Rossum) was 'almost' a track star in high school (she had to drop out to care for her siblings, natch) because she will put those running skills to the test when ambushed--in her own home!--by an intent-on-blood, Lucy Jo Heisner (Brit Morgan). Fiona, you'll recall, had an unrequited high school crush on 'Craig Heiser' which was just requited in the back seat of Craig's car, a virtual low-rent kiddyland of toys, baby seat and (ew!) old juice boxes and uneaten food. To make it worse, Craig makes odd noises when having sex so the whole experince grossed Fiona out. Very doubtful that she'd planned on going back to that well again. Try telling that to the bat-wielding 'Lucy Jo', though.
Jeremy Allen White as 'Lip Gallagher' (Credit: Showtime)
SNEAK PEEK: Shameless - Possible New Client - Fiona deals with the consequences of sleeping with Craig when his angry wife shows up at the door:
SNEAK PEEK: Shameless - 'Copy That' - Lip invites Jody to the Alibi Room:
SHAMELESS EPISODE 2.04 - 'A Beautiful Mess' (Showtime Extended Synopsis):
Fiona deals with the consequences of sleeping with Craig when his angry wife shows up at the door; Debbie develops a stress-rash and Fiona wonders if she's putting too much responsibility on the kids; Sheila has made it all the way to the hair salon and Frank realizes his days in the Jackson household are numbered; no longer having sex with Karen, Lip tries to dig up dirt on Jody; Ian continues on the path to West Point; Carl house-sits with his friend, Little Hank; Ethel meets Malik, a boy on Kevin's youth basketball team.
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher in Showtime's Shameless - Episode 2.04
Is Emmy Rossum ever not completely adorable and fun? She seems so at ease in her own skin. My guess is that she is in really high demand for photoshoots like this one with Zooey Magazine where they pulled out all the stops in showing the many sides of Emmy. This video is a terrific behind-the-scenes record of some of what goes into being a cover girl. Bonus: Emmy's little dog 'Cinnamon' wanders in and out of the frame several times.
Emmy Rossum's Glamorous Zooey Magazine Outtakes:
Offering up a behind-the-scenes look, Emmy Rossum is featured in just-released outtakes from her cover gig with the January 2012 issue of Zooey. The 25-year-old actress strapped on a $2,000 Mandalay dress for the magazine's front page shot, which was taken by renowned photographer Derek Wood.
Emmy Rossum plays Fiona Gallagher on "Shameless," the oldest child in the rambunctious Gallagher clan. And although her character's only 21 years-old, because her dad Frank is alcoholic and her mother's gone, taking care of her 5 brothers and sisters (and father) is her responsibility.
There was only one problem with the role for Rossum: in real-life, she's an only child. She told "CBS This Morning" (weekdays, 7 a.m. EST on CBS) about the creative way "Shameless" producers got her some experience taking care of kids. "The producers kind of gave me $80, and were like, 'Here's a mini-van, take all of these kids to putt-putt. Feed them, change them, deal with them. And also deal with Bill Macy. So it was that kind of idea and I kind of got thrown into it pretty quickly," Rossum remembered.
That mini-golf outing wasn't the only quality time the cast spends together off-set. Rossum told Gayle King that they get together at Bill Macy's house for Sunday night dinners and "Shameless" watching. "We'll all watch together, and if the kids are there, we'll cover their eyes during the naked naughty bits. We're a cable show, so we have to do that," she joked. Clearly, the mini-golf paid off.
Californication continues to be witty and irreverent with just enough humanity tossed into the mix to ensure that we care about the characters. I still don't know how David Duchovny does it. He did the same with his character, 'Agent Mulder' in the X-Files. He was kind of an ass but a wry, witty ass and against better judgment, we liked him--a lot. The same goes for his character on Californication, writer 'Hank Moody.' He does some incredibly selfish, immature things but his heart seems to be in the right place and there's no questioning his love of his daughter and her mother--no matter how weirdly he displays that love.
Californication: Self Preservation
After Hank finishes his script for Santa Monica cop, Charlie asks him to say in L.A.
.
Californication: Long for Companionship
Things start to heat up when Hank is asked to show Kali a night on the town
Full Synopsis: Episode 5.03 - 'Boys and Girls' - Hank delivers a completed draft of "Santa Monica Cop" to Samurai Apocalypse but his attempts to leave town are once again thwarted when he's asked to show a night on the town to Kali, his "acquaintance" from the flight to Los Angles; Tyler crashes with Karen and Becca while he recovers from his injuries; things get unprofessional fast when Charlie is saved from a serious parental crisis by his son's nanny, Lizzie.
Next on Episode 3 Hank delivers a script and tries to leave town but events keep him in L.A.
Looks like Lip (Jeremy Allen White) is ratcheting up his risk-taking by stealing credit-card numbers. Wonder if he's trying to impress Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) with his derring-do?
Kevin (Steve Howey) does have a plan and it doesn't sound too bad to me. His father, who is on the edge of death, owns Frank's favourite bar and Kevin's place of employment--'The Alibi.' Kevin's plan is to go to 'the loan store' and buy the bar from dear ol' dad leaving dad with the means to die with dignity. Kevin's shown his ability to control the going's on at The Alibi so you'd think, with a bit of help from 'Vi' (Shanola Hampton) with the books that Steve would fare just fine--though since this is Shameless...anything could happen.
Shameless: I Have a Plan
Kevin tells Veronica he wants to buy the Alibi Room.
Shameless Episode 2.03: 'I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day'
Season 2, Episode 3 Episode Synopsis:
Fiona ponders the morality of getting involved with a high-school crush who's now married but when she finds an abandoned purse with $500 inside she assumes her luck is changing; Frank pulls out all the stops, even proposing marriage, in an effort to stay in the good graces of his meal ticket, Dottie; and Harry's health issues leave Debbie obsessing over death. Meanwhile, Kevin considers buying the Alibi; Lip takes a meeting with an Army officer to see about getting Ian into West Point; Jody asks for Frank's permission to marry Karen. Original Air Date: Jan 22, 2012
Next on Episode 6 Grammy Gallagher visits; Frank learns who Eddie's beneficiary is.
