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 2 - Hank meets with director Peter Berg and discovers a surprise connection.
Meagan Good as 'Kali' in Californication Episode 5.02:
Californication - Episode 5.02 - 'The Way Of The Fist' - Promo - Sneak Peeks - Full Synopsis:
Hank passes on writing Samurai Apocalypse's new movie but Sam won't take no for an answer and drags Hank to a meeting with director Peter Berg, where they discover that Hank and Peter have shared more than just a love of the written word. Sam takes it on himself to get rid of Tyler, which makes things worse between Hank and Becca. Co-parents Charlie, Marcy and Stu have their hands full when Little Stuart exposes himself to a preschool classmate, and Charlie takes it upon himself to mend fences with the offended girl's attractive mother. (Showtime)
Californication - The Runkles have a parent teacher meeting
Hank drops by Samurai Apocalypse's home and bumps into Kali.
'I do hate hip-hop, but that's not why.' - Hank to 'Sam' as to why he doesn't want to write his screenplay
If the number of views (on YouTube) of the sneak peeks for tonight's Californication are any indication, the show seems to be as popular as ever. One good reason for this is that Californication has a great tradition of impressive guests stars and this season is no exception. I'm looking forward tonight to seeing Peter Berg who seems (to his great credit) to have found a great deal of work behind the cameras directing in the past decade.
Judging by last week's season 5 premiere, David Duchovny as "Hank Moody' doesn't seem to have let his almost 3-year stint in prison slow him down from getting back into life in the fast lane.
The torching of his New York apartment by a 'jilted' ex-lover seems to be an extra impetus to 'go west,' beyond both an interest in the beautiful, enigmatic 'Kali' (Meghan Good) and an offer from superstar hip-hop mogul 'Samurai Apocalypse' (RZA) to write a screenplay. The confluence of these situations, along with his concern for daughter 'Becca' (Madeleine Martin) and her choice of male companions, plus his seemingly inexhaustible interest in Becca's mom & ex flame 'Karen' (Natascha McElhone), makes it a sure bet that Hank is back to stay in Southern California--the setting that best captures the essence of Hank Moody.
I'm totally jazzed that Shameless is back on, aren't you? What's that you say, you have not started watching season 2 of Shameless?! Well, if you are reading this in January 2012, you only need scroll down to the bottom of this blog and you'll be able to view Shameless season 2, episode 1 (for a limited time, edited for naughty language and bits).
We subscribe to Showtime in our household as they have great shows throughout the year. Shameless has quickly become my favorite comedy on any television station. I think both the sneak peeks below for episode 2 of Shameless which airs on Sunday, January 15 are excellent examples of why the show is so awesome. In the Shameless: 'Quality Father Daughter Time' video (below), Emmy Rossum as 'Fiona' and William C. Macy as deadbeat drunk dad 'Frank Gallagher' spar over yet another of Frank's brain-dead schemes to make cash any way but legitimately.
SCREENCAPS for SHAMELESS episode 2 and beyond:
SHAMELESS Synopsis Episode 2: Summer Loving:
As Sheila conquers her agoraphobia, a worried Frank finds a new financial plan in fellow bar patron Dottie, whose declining health and city pension make her an ideal match; Fiona juggles her job, the kids and her burgeoning love life, and Jasmine tries to help by setting up Fiona with a sugar daddy; Veronica takes some old folks from the home on an excursion; Lip worries about Karen's growing relationship with Jody; Ian tries to land a recently released Mickey a job at the Kash and Grab; Debbie wants her own room; Carl moves into the van.
Shameless: 'Quality Father Daughter Time' (VIDEO) Published on Jan 9, 2012 by SHOWTIME Fiona scolds Frank about the Gallagher's new roommate.
Despite Hank Moody's proclivity for sexual encounters with young ladies his daughter's age and his inability to indulge in a relationship any more complicated than a hook-up, he is indeed back for more.
Though he may have gone away to the big house for 3 years to serve his sentence for child molestation, Hank appears on the brink of either a precipice for his final hurdle over or...could it be--a comeback?
Remember to check out the SHOWTIME Free Preview of CALIFORNICATION - Watch for free during the SHOWTIME Free Preview Weekend from Jan 6th-8th -- right here!
(Nov 22, 2011)
Californication – SEASON 5 Synopsis: Premiere: Sunday, January 8th at 10:30 PM ET/PT
Californication stars David Duchovny in his Golden Globe®-winning role as hedonistic novelist Hank Moody who struggles to raise his teenage daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin), while still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone).
The new season will answer questions from last season’s cliff-hanging season finale, including whether Hank, Karen and Becca will finally be able to live together as a family, if Charlie (Evan Handler) and Marcy’s (Pamela Adlon) new baby will help reunite the now-divorced couple and, especially, to where, exactly, Hank was driving off into the sunset. Music icon, producer, actor and director RZA (American Gangster, Derailed) will guest star in multiple episodes as Samurai Apocalypse, an extreme-living, mega-rich hip-hop mogul who hires Hank to write a screenplay for his hot new film property. Sultry film and television siren Meagan Good (“The Game,” Jumping the Broom) guest stars as Kali, a smoking hot singer who is Samurai Apocalypse’s protégé, but who also sparks a flame in Hank. Californication is created by Tom Kapinos with Kapinos and Duchovny serving as executive producers.
And CALIFORNICATION's latest behind-the-scenes video provides an in-depth look at the upcoming season as well as input from the cast: http://youtu.be/Bb4xaL6LsbA
Two of the best surprises about season 1 SHAMELESS on Showtime were Emmy Rossum as Fiona, in her early 20's the eldest sibling in the Gallagher family, and Lip (Jeremy White) at age 17-18, the next sib chronologically. Though Lip is indeed good at defending his family he is less shall we say, responsible than Fiona in that she usually is doing last-minute crisis-solving whilst 'Philip' can be found causing quite a few crises of his own.
Both actors--Rossum as 'Fiona' and White as "Lip' are extremely engaging, a hoot to watch. Previously, Rossum had shone brightly in much more girly show-biz situations, many of them musically-based (she describes her voice as that of a 'lyric soprano') and in which she is quite accomplished. She has however taken to this premium cable dramatic comedy like the proverbial fish to water, mirroring her place as Fiona as the anchor of her family by being the anchor of 'Shameless' itself.
Shameless: Fiona is Foxy (Shameless Spot)
She works hard and plays harder. Watch Emmy Rossum as Fiona in Shameless.
"Lip" as play by Jeremy White, is extremely bright in some ways like scamming money on the side, helping to support everyone. He's tough as nails, a scrappy survivor and like the rest of the Gallagher kids, extremely loyal to his family. However, in the ways of the heart he hasn't quite gotten it yet. The actor nails the part and as much asI'm excited to see Emmy Rossum again grace our screens I'm looking forward to what Jeremy White brings as well.
SHAMELESS returns Sunday January8, 2012 at 9PM ET/PT on Showtime, ensuring a hilarious start to the new year.
Get a taste of Lip's philosophy on parenting, standardized testing, entrepreneurship, relationships and family.
Are you ready for SHAMELESS' return yet? Well, to get you through your rabid excitement, we're featuring your favorite characters for a week on Sho.com. This week, it's Lip Week. Check him out: http://www.sho.com/site/shameless/home.sho
Speaking of Lip, we have a behind-the-scenes interview with the older Gallagher son: Lip Gallagher Is Shameless: http://youtu.be/dCUjjnWQt7E
And, of course, there's a new Truth or Dare. This week, fans want to know if he'd ever "do a big girl": http://youtu.be/CwwwKUDa4b8
William H. Macy as 'Frank Gallagher' on SHO. "Shameless' returns on Jan 8, 2012.
The smashed hit returns. It's summertime and the Gallaghers of Chicago are cooking up fresh ways to bring home the bacon. Their ventures may not be moral — or even legal — but they certainly are outrageous. Between beating the heat and keeping their cool, the Gallaghers are in for one crazy summer. William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum star in the hilarious and heartfelt Showtime Original Series, SHAMELESS.
Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher, Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher, Jeremy Allen White as Lip Gallagher, Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher, Laura Slade Wiggins as Karen, and William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher in Shameless (Season 2, episode 1) - Photo: Cliff Lipson/SHOWTIME
Showrime's Shameless returns Sunday January 6 at 9ET/PT with Episode 2.01 - 'Summertime':
I think we have finally hit a good countdown point for Shameless. Just a month and a day and we'll be both past the holidays and ready to party with the Gallaghers.
If you watched last season you may recall there were a number of'cicumstances' that arouse in the course of the episode leading to a tense last few minutes for several characters.
Fiona (EMMY ROSSUM) in particular has (for the immediate future) lost Steve (JUSTIN CHATWIN) with whom things had been sailing along fine as far as she knew tho' kid sister Deb, (EMMA KENNEY) was on to him. "Jimmy',' it turns out hails from the North Shore (lakefront) area of of Chicago and comes from a wealthy family who is as unaware of Fiona as she is of them. Jimmy's car thieving has caught up with him and he's fled the country.
Much more, obviously, is happening character by character, so in the run-up I should be able to skip back an get freshly up-to-date with where we left off last March(!). I'm thinking a Shameless marathon on Showtime would really suit me.
This season promises Fiona and Vi (SHANOLA HANPTON) working as cocktail waitresses and Fiona's newish bi-leaning gf, Jasmine (AMY SMART)getting very physical in the rather 'stirring' new advert for SHAMELESS, 'Shamelessly Sexy.'
Shameless: Single Ladies Dance - Lip's Truth or Dare
Lip accepts the dare to learn the Single Ladies dance
SHAMELESS Season 2 SPOILERS:
Q: Shameless scoop, please!
A: At least two of these will happen in the next season. (The other is something I totally made up.) Someone will spend some time in the psych ward, one of the kids will ride an alpaca, and one of the boys gets kicked out of the house. Guess away!
12.02.11 UPDATE: DEXTER"S 8th Season to be it's Last:
Michael C. Hall in DEXTER Episode 6.10 - 'Ricochet Rabbit' (SHO):
Next on Dexter Season 6 Episode 10 - Ricochet Rabbit:
Dexter tries to figure out the Doomsday Killers' next victim before it's too late after learning the truth about Gellar; Debra has a panic attack reaction at a crime scene, which leads her to the realization that she leans too heavily on her brother.
DEXTER season 6 is getting some really sour feedback from critics and audiences alike.
The latest EW magazine opines that season 5 was 'weak' and Season 6 is 'weaker.'
The complaints are being fired mostly at the 'DDK' (Doomsday Killer--not really even a great acronym made from that) storyline. The consensus seems to be 'fire the writers,' which is unsurprising as the actors on Dexter continue to be of the caliber that they usually are but the season 6 storyline has not been able to engage viewers ala season 4's 'Trinity Killer' storyline (which I think besides DEXTER season 1, will be the standard to which all seasons will be held). Possibly, the return of Dexter's bio-brother (in Harry form) was the biggest let-down as anticipation for his return began at the end of season 1.
What could have further plumbed the depths of Dexter's psyche ended up more as a jokey, pseudo-Thelma and Louise one-off episode. Dexter never seemed in danger of slipping into an extended bout of Rudy-like behaviour and therein lay the problem. And then *poof* Rudy was gone. That was a wasted opportunity, if there ever was one.
I'm a from-day-one 'Dexter' fan as I followed Michael C. Hall from Six Feet Under to this and I believe he never disappoints. I would have ranked it as my favourite show until this season (though it is by no means 'bad' nor do I wish to stop watching it).
In addition to being the star of Dexter, Hall, as you see in the credits is an executive producer (EP) of the show. I think he needs to step in and step it up for seasons 7 -8. ( Showtime has announced two more seasons of Dexter have been approved.)
I did like the DDK twist of this past week. Now I want to see what they are going to do with it. I have high hopes as I'd like to see season 6 end without giving anyone (including me) more reason to carp about the show.
'Gellar's Paintings' - Deb, Batista and Mike discover DDK's hideout.
'You Killed Me' - Travis discovers the truth about Gellar
Update #2 (12.03.11) SPOILERS:
EW DEXTER SCOOP (12.02.11)
Though plans could still change, SHOWTIME entertainment president David Nevins tells EW the working assumption is indeed that 'Dexter' will conclude in the eighth season. Moreover, the creative endgame starts sooner than you think — the remaining episodes of the current sixth season will set into motion events that will resonate through the remainder of the series. “Coming back for two more years gives us clarity about how and when it will go out,” Nevins said at Showtime’s annual holiday party in Los Angeles on Thursday night. “There’s things that are going to happen [this season] that will set up a very clear endgame that will take two seasons to tell. You have got to be there for the last two episodes.”
Homeland | Speaking of top-notch cable dramas, the Dec. 18 freshman finale of Showtime’s spy thriller will play host to a showdown between its two leading ladies, Claire Danes and Morena Baccarin, who thus far have been traveling in rather separate circles. “We have a fantastic confrontation,” Morena Baccarin told me. “After Jessica puts it together who Carrie is, they have this sort of face-off.” Pressed for further details, all Baccarin would add is, “It takes place at my house, and it is intense.” My question: Does “who Carrie is” mean “CIA spook trying to finger my husband for treason,” “harlot who bedded him,” or a bit of both?
Claire Danes as CIA spook Carrie Mathison in Homeland on Showtime CREDIT: Showtime
HOMELAND Update! (12.02.11) SPOILER:
Q: What can you tell me about Brody’s plan?
A: This week’s episode, titled “Representative Brody,” doesn’t particularly give us too many more clues about any secret plot he might have going because everything about his future is seemingly out on the table — as you might have surmised from the title of the episode. The problem is Jessica has to be on board before Brody makes any leap, and let’s just say she’s less than thrilled about the idea.
Bonus dish: The end of the hour will find Carrie (Claire Danes) in a hospital bed after a horrible and incredibly terrifying incident.
Michael C. Hall as 'DEXTER' on Showtime - Episode 6.09 - 'Get Gellar' Credit: Showtime
Michael C. Hall (above) looks great as hungry-again, season 6 Dexter. Both season 4, which featured the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow) and Rita's (Julie Benz) murder by Trinity and season 5, with the physically and emotionally damaged, 'Lumen' played by Julia Stiles, who Dexter helps get justice and by doing so gets past his 'kill slump,' helped make Dexter 6.0 who he is.
It was very hard to guess what we were in store for on season 6 Dexter with the lead, Michael C. Hall and his leading lady offscreen and co-star on Dexter, Jennifer Carpenter's divorce from one another.
It wasn't uncalled for to speculate whether 'Deb', a critical player as Dexter's younger sister in Dexter, would be killed off due to possible tensions with exes working long hours together on the set of the hit Showtime series.
Their scenes together this season seem OK--they are after all actors, but the tone and pace to season 6 is off. It seems to go in fits and starts maybe because some things seem too arbitrary like the hiring of 'Mike, the Chicago cop' and the near complete abandonment of the character. I mean, what is he there for? He does look pretty, eye candy for the ladies, I won't disagree with that.
I thought I would have loved the Gellar (Edward James Olmos) and Travis Mitchell (Colin Hanks) storyline. I don't. The whole 'DDK' thing is just not doing it for me (and every time Deb says "DDK" referring to the Doomsday Killer, it sounds like she's yakking about what she had for lunch--BLT, DDK, BK sandwich...
That the women victims are outnumbering the men is troubling but I see from the promo that there's at least another DDK victim in episode 9--and from the screen caps you can see he's male.
Not sure how I feel about Deb willingly seeing a shrink. I see that she sees that her personal life is a mess and I get why maybe she's tired of it being so. But this road to ' insights' can only lead to a dark passenger and I don't mean Debra's.
Jennifer Carpenter as Lt. Debra Morgan in Dexter Episode 6.09 "Get Gellar'
Dexter receives help from an unexpected source while hunting the Doomsday Killers and staying one step ahead of Homicide; Debra discovers something new about herself in therapy.
Edward James Olmos as Prof. Gellar in Dexter Episode 6.09 "Get Gellar'
Dexter: Travis's Dark Passenger
Dexter prepares a kill room for Gellar.
David Zayas as "Angel Batista' in Dexter Episode 6.09 "Get Gellar'
Dexter: Bowls of Wrath
Miami Metro tries to figure out DDK's next tableau.
Colin Hanks as "Travis Mitchell' in Dexter Episode 6.09 "Get Gellar'
Michael C. Hall as 'DEXTER' on Showtime - Episode 6.09 - 'Get Gellar' Credit: Showtime
Jennifer Carpenter as Lt. Debra Morgan in Dexter Episode 6.09 "Get Gellar'
Molly Parker as 'The Whore Of Babalon'/Cindy, Travis's sister
Michael C. Hall as 'DEXTER' on Showtime - Episode 6.09 - 'Get Gellar' Credit: Showtime
It's anyone's guess as to the final destination of Showtimes' freshman offering, 'HOMELAND.' Homeland had garnered good numbers both in the general positive assessment by critics to the show as well as ratings acclaim.
I'm really curious to see if the Sgt. Brody storyline is wrapped up this season with a new CIA-based story kicking off in season 2. I've been getting the impression that the showrunners feel that they can get 2 season out of the current schedule of a season 2 pick-up--so I guess I'll just wait to find out Homelands' season 2 narrative like most everyone else.
Speaking of HOMELAND'S narrative, season one's has been one roller-coaster of a ride--and the cast is kicking ass, too. It is really good to have Claire Danes back on television. She's still great. And Mandy Patinkin is perfectly cast. I love when he has some extended scenes with plenty of dialog. He makes it look utterly effortless. And he's has such a soothing-sounding voice, no matter what he's saying.
HOMELAND Episode 1.09 - 'Crossfire' Promo VIDEO:
After his attempt to sever ties with Abu Nazir, Brody finds himself reliving his captivity and recommits to his mission; Carrie finds herself in the middle of a public relations nightmare on the heels of the mosque shooting.
If you thought terrorism was Abu Nazir’s only motive for keeping Brody alive in captivity, think again. The revelation about what Brody was up to all those years comes out in this Sunday’s episode — and it’s a shocker. (Hint: It gives him one hell of a motive for possibly turning against his country.)
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LG DoublePlay™ for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
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It can be a real chore trying to juggle the 'information flow' day-to-day (hour to hour, if I'm going to be precise). I probably use my smartphone, using both texting and accessing my social networks at least 50 hours a month, maybe more. How 'bout we compare notes and you share with me how many hours you spend on your smartphone or other device for texting and networking? Drop me a comment if you would, please!
Since I do a lot of texting and networking on my portable device I want -- need actually--built into it, a great little 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recorder which I know I would use often in my interactions through my multi-tasking handset. I use photos taken with my plain old cellphone now but it would be fantastic to take advantage of the use of a LG DoublePlay™ featuring Android 2.3 with it's super-friendly, comprehensive user customization featuring 7 home screens and up to ninetouch screen shortcuts for easy-as-one-touch navigation. Put this awfully nice-sounding package together with a split QWERTY keyboard and dual capacitive touch screens which make your multi-tasking mobile activities a breeze, and you'll agree that it is time to make an addition to your holiday gift list! Why not check out the LG DoublePlay™ --the ultimate social networking and multi-tasking handset and remember, the LG DoublePlay™is available ONLY through T-Mobile!
Michael C. Hall as 'Dexter' in Dexter - Episode 6.08: 'Sin Of Omission' (SHO)
Dexter Episode 6.08: 'Sin Of Omission' Preview (SHO)
Dexter uses lessons he learned from Brother Sam to follow up on some new leads in the Doomsday investigation; Debra butts heads with Captain LaGuerta over the case of a dead call girl.
Dexter 6.08 Sneak Peek:Funerals and Doughnuts
Dexter learns that Miami Metro knows about Travis Marshall.
Dexter 6.08 Sneak Peek: Pathetically Mundane
Gellar tries to convince Travis to return to him.
Dexter Season 6 Upcoming Episodes Synopsis [SPOILERS]:
S06, E08 Sin of Omission
Dexter uses lessons from Brother Sam (Mos) to follow up on leads; Deb and LaGuerta butt heads.
S06, E09Get Gellar Dexter gets help from an unexpected source; Debra learns something about herself in therapy.
S06, E10 Ricochet Rabbit Dexter tries to find the Doomsday Killers' next victim; Debra reacts strongly to a crime scene.
S06, E11Talk to the Hand Dexter works to catch the Doomsday Killers; Debra's battle with LaGuerta boils over.
S06, E12This Is the Way the World Ends Dexter and the Homicide team race to catch the Doomsday Killers before their final act; Deb copes with a new emotional reality.
'This: Am I reading too much into this or is Episode 12 eluding to the fact that Deb finds out about Dexter?'
And this...
Q: Will Travis help Dexter take down Gellar on Dexter ?
A: Travis will stop playing follow the leader when he pays the ultimate price for abandoning Gellar. The latest DDK victim will, in a bizarre way, become a catalyst for Deb to reevaluate her own relationship with Dexter.
...together, are the start of the beginning of the end of Dexter's sister Deb's big blind spot in regard to the very odd hours that her brother has kept since adolescence as well as a few other 'odd' things he's said and done throughout the same time period.
DEXTER gets tense as both Dexter and Miami Metro start to close in on Gellar. And you'll never guess who ends up helping Dexter (or why). - (11.17.11 SHOWTIME)
Q: Does the Jonah storyline in episode 6.07 have Any fallout in DEXTER episode 6.08 (this Sunday)?
Episode 6.08, Dexter is back in Miami and the focus returns on The Doomsday Killer. However, he will have to deal with Debra, who is pissed off. Not only he disappeared for a week, but she doesn’t know where he went. That’s pretty much the fallout: angry Debra.
Q: Will Travis help Dexter take down Gellar on Dexter ? A: Travis will stop playing follow the leader when he pays the ultimate price for abandoning Gellar. The latest DDK victim will, in a bizarre way, become a catalyst for Deb to reevaluate her own relationship with Dexter.
This week on HOMELAND, Brody gets a major proposal from a very powerful woman, and Carrie finds Tom Walker's contact. Too bad he's got diplomatic immunity. (11.17.11 SHOWTIME)
After the jump - A love letter from Showtime: DEXTER RENEWED x2!:
Episode 6.07 of Showtime's HOMELAND was truly riveting.I don't think it's an exaggeration to call it a 'game-changer.' And then a set-up for the next episode, 6.08 - 'Achilles Heel', with possibly yet another plot twist that is just as big. My TV-watching partner quit on this show, I think because the story wasn't unraveling fast enough for him. With a story like this, a certain degree of patience and I'll say it, sophistication is required to fully enjoy it.
Some of us seem to want the equivalent of 'fast-food' TV but like many things in life, taking it slowly can result in a big payoff.
HOMELAND Episode 1.08 - 'Achilles Heel' Promo VIDEO (HD)
A: This Sunday, all eyes — and phone traces, and street cameras — are on a new target as the CIA attempts to capture Brody’s presumed-dead pal, Tom Walker. But by the end of the hour, we’ll learn Walker and Brody have something — or someone — else in common. Translation: Don’t be so quick to remove Brody from the list of suspects.
HOMELAND Episode 1.07 - 'The Weekend' - Damian Lewis as Sgt. Brody and Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in HOMELAND on SHO right after DEXTER on Sundays:
Homeland 1.07 - "The Weekend" Promo (HD) The relationship between Carrie and Brody becomes complicated.
Also, Brody's his best friend, 'Mike', (the guy who took super-good care of Brody's wife) is 'NOT (his) friend <facepunch>, not (his) friend <facepunch>.'
Looks like more hanky-panky goin' on between Carrie and Brody for sure and possibly Jess (Morena Baccarin) and Mike (Diego Klattenhof) will give into their carnal desires, too. What a mess. A hot mess.
Last week's HOMELAND episode left on a cliff-hangar of what exactly happened that led to the death before he could disclose any good intel of Brody's POW guard of 8 years?
Brody himself is a suspect. He became one after he'd gone back to the CIA asking as a soldier to be able to face his captor. Previously, he'd asked if his captor would be tortured as part of the interrogation. Carrie's reply to Brody was, 'We don't do that here.'
This week, Carrie is hot to have Brody take a lie detector test as she has no question that Brody slipped his guard a razor blade after Brody successfully won face time with him via his plea to Deputy CIA Director Estes, (David Harewood).
The tension continues to mount. How much longer until Carrie and Brody either come to blows or wind up in the sack together--possibly having angry sex?
With the spoiler-questions below answered we know that contrary to speculation, Professor Gellar(Edward James Olmos) is indeed quite real--human (unlike the character he was being compared to, Dexter's ghostly dad). He is therefore susceptible to death--perhaps taking Quinn's bullet after "Quinn (Desmond Harrington) gets a little too close' in this episode.
Dexter Epsode 5 'The Angel Of Death' SPOILER:
From this week's DEXTER buzz we learn that a season 6 new-cast member is being offed!
The reason I have no trouble believing this is that when EJO was cast it was NOT for the entire season and since he's been in every episode of season 6 and we are going into episode # five...
SYNOPSIS: Dexter Season 6 Episode 5 - The Angel Of Death:
With the help of his new-found friend Brother Sam, Dexter wonders if there is light within him to counter the darkness, while the search for the Doomsday Killers takes him in a new direction; Batista and Quinn pay a visit to the university where Professor Gellar taught; due to departmental regulations following the shooting, Debra is forced to begin therapy.
Q: Is Edward James Olmos' Professor Gellar on Dexter real?
A: He's real, all right—just ask that guy whose body parts took a pony ride through Miami traffic.
Never fear: Lt. Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) and her team are closing in on the Doomsday Killer—and while Quinn (Desmond Harrington) gets a little too close to the naughty professor, Dexter(Michael C. Hall) targets his creepy protégé, Travis(Colin Hanks).
Q: Is Dexter moving kind of slowly this season? A: (Maybe but) things start cooking in a big way over the next two episodes.
"You know how the show usually kills off the guest stars at the end of the season? Well, one of this season's new characters will meet his or her maker much sooner than that."
A: I can tell you it’s someone who was new to the cast this season — and it’s not under the blade of an ax. Not enough? Let me narrow it down a bit more. For now, I can tell you Harrison’s new babysitter stays out of death’s crosshairs, but too bad she finds herself on the receiving end of Deb’s wrath during a screaming match! Personally, I’d rather tango with death than Deb’s temper.
Next on Episode 5 'Blide Spot' of Homeland, Brody confronts his sole surviving captor and torturer:
Should be interesting to see what reaction the 'reunion' of Brody (Damian Lewis - above in a sneak peek still) and his former captor elicits for Brody. The guy is still very much an enigma, IMO.
Claire Danes as "Carrie Mathison' in "Homeland' on SHO Sunday nights after Dexter (10E/9C).
Carrie meets with Brody so he can identify one of his captors.
Q: Homeland?
Sunday’s uber-intense new episode, which centers around Brody (Damian Lewis) confronting the lone surviving insurgent that held him, will lead to a blow-up between Saul (MandyPatinkin) and Carrie (Claire Danes). And on a less crucial note, Morena Baccarin’s Jessica will also debut a new, shorter ‘do.
Somewhere between the beginning of season 4 of HBO's True Blood and now--True Blood lost me:
I still find many of it's characters compelling but a significant number over the last two seasons were not remotelyso. They include the deceased 'Tommy Mickens', shapeshifter and brother to the owner of the local 'Cheers'-type-establishment Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell). Let's not forgettheir trailer park-stereotype parents (mom was a shifter, dad just an abusive drunk) were mercifully were given little screen time i season 4 and better, were swiftly killed off.
Anytime they were onscreen I was drifting off:
Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwantan) and Crystal, the werepanther and the entire 'Hot Shot' storyline. It seems that the producers of True Blood figured out in Season 3 to not take this cringe-worthy story much further so they didn't. Unfortunately, they dropped the story like a hot potato at the very beginning of season 4 after a big season 3 build-up so it felt very abrupt. Literally, it felt dropped--though the ultimate goal was met quickly which served the story despite it's other flaws.
They did the same to the "Fae' storyline, pretty much. The audience was not really receptive to the faery godmother thing and the rest so--poof! Gone. (And, they killed off Claudine, those bastards! She was so cool in the books.)
The witches' invasion was OK. Certainly casting Fiona Shaw in the lead was a good choice but the outcome of the witches' Bon Temps takeover was so that Eric would lose his memory and embark with a clean slate, in an affair with Sookie Stackhouse. Beyond that, did anyone really fear Marnie/Antonia or care all that much except for Eric getting his memory back?
And that is probably NOT the worst of it about things not-great in season 4. After so much hype about Sookie and Eric the romance just went pfft. Though I thought it impossible, beyond flirtation Alexander Skarsgård and Anna Paquin don't have the chemistry that makes for a believably hot, intense romance. I don't know why--or maybe that is exactly why but their lovemaking scenes never came near the hotness of some of the 'Sookie and Bill in love'-action.
Finally, they still haven't figured out what to do with poor Tara (Rutina Wesley). The season-ender of True Blood had Tara getting her brains literally blown out.
Too bad this scene (above) never happened. It looks like it has potential.
EDIT/Oh yeah. This too. The reconciled werewolf couple Debbie Pelt and Alcide Herveaux. Except when Joe Manganiello as Alcide has his shirt off, this was another wasted effort that show a complete lack of...IDK, caring? on the writer's part. It made no sense whatsoever that Debbie attempt to murder Sookie as she and Alcide have not even made it beyond hugging. Just the same, true to form Debbie tried to kill Sookie in her own house only his time she got both herself and Tara shot. (Tara's brains spattered so far that if she comes back as anything but a ghost I may-- though I almost never threaten this--I may say to hell with the show.)
Tara's (Rutina Wesley) brains in True Blood - Season 4 Episode 12
Sookie (Anna Paquin) reacting to Tara's sacrifice, screams for help (guess who will respond first? The list is ever-growing).
So where will the series pick up next season? Right after this moment? Would you feel cheated if it didn't pick up on this moment if somehow Tara still 'exists?' I think I would.
Vampires have feelings, too:
Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) shown with 'Ginger' (Tara Buck) is as upset as we've seen her, again for the same reason--her maker, Eric. This time in disgust (and still bedding Sookie) he ordered her away after she disobeyed a direct order (and said screw the safety of the humans, essentially). But he and Sookie (and Bill) are kaput so I'm thinking it will be easier for Eric and Pam to resume their very smooth relationship as boss and the boss's 2nd in command. Let's hope so!
Despite my numerous quibbles I am curious about season 5 True Blood so read on about some of the first tidbits of True Blood Season 5 info. spilling forth as the TB writers 'break' season 5.
So far, we have had official confirmation--as well as duh! the big hole where Russell Edgington used to be in episode 12, that Denis O'Harewill return to season 5 True Blood as the former King of Mississippi. I'm sure his story of escape will be intriguing. I'm guessing one of Russell's other 'progeny' finally found him(?) due to the signal of 'maker in trouble' getting through--but truly, I have no idea.
True Blood Season 5 NEW Character Announcement and Descriptions:
As the producers promised, True Blood is introducing several new characters in season 5 — and EW got the early word on two of the roles.
Creator Alan Ball and his team of scribes have put out a casting call for someone to play Nora, a beautiful and intelligent 25-to-35 something who plays a double agent within the Vampire Authority. What’s even better than that? She’s got a big history with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) because she too is a progeny of Godric(!). Nora will be a series regular role that may (or may not) involve a little nudity...
Meanwhile, Co-Executive Producer Raelle Tucker told EW that they’ll include a “very significant, strong, mysterious woman at the center of one of our main stories next year … a very familiar and compelling character. It may be someone you’ve heard of before.” Especially if you’ve read the Bible: The True Blood team also put out the call for someone to play Salome, as in THE Salome, daughter of Herodias.
She’s a powerful ancient vampire (hmm, don’t remember that part from the New Testament) and a world-class seductress who’s also a little mad. So she’ll fit right into Bon Temps.
Some nice HQ shots are out from Showtime's Dexter filming at and in the ocean on Oct 4.
you can very clearly see Michael C. Hall (Dexter) in the photos fully soaked both in and out of the ocean along with...four people we've not seen prior to now.
This is episode 6.12, I think. (Maybe?)
I've been chatting with a fellow Dexter fan about the shots and am mulling about, based on the physical similarity to 'Jamie Batista' (baby Harrison's sitter) could we be seeing M.C. Hall pictured with stunt people?
So intriguing to wonder just what is going on here!
These shots raise about a thousand questions especially when you consider that they may be part of the season 6 finale of Dexter!
Edward James Olmos: I’m playing a professor of theology and it’s quite interesting....
What kind of theology is it and how does it apply to Dexter?
EJO: Most of the work that I’ve done is ancient, so it’s the roots. We ponder a lot of the roots of the basics about existence.
Is this professor of theology an equal match for Dexter?
E.J.O. : No, he outdoes him in almost every way. It’s really very dark. You mix religion and homicidal tendencies, you’re going to get into a dark space, he darkest of the five years.
Michael C. Hall as 'Dexter' and Jennifer Carpenter as 'Deb' in Dexter Season 6, Episode 1, 'Those Kind Of Things.':
Screencaps! - Dexter Episode 6.01 'Those Kinds of Things' - 2 Sneak Peeks VIDEO SCREENCAPS:
Promo 1 and Promo 2 Episode 6.01 - Dexter: 'Tragedy Strikes' - 'An injured Dexter calls for help.' and Dexter: 'Alpha Omega' - Miami Metro investigates a washed up body.
Dexter: 'Alpha Omega'
Published on Sep 23, 2011 by SHOWTIME
Miami Metro investigates a washed up body.
This is a toe-curling scenen that is SPOILERish--at least if you have an aversion to seeing _______ slithering out of a dead guy's abdominal cavity. In this sense the premiere of Dexter season 6, Episode 1 - 'Those Kind Of Things,' is classic Dexter (remember when Dexter had to fish body parts out of a 'gator he'd slit open)?
Check back soon for my advance review of Dexter season 5.
'The explosively popular DEXTER® is back with a vengeance for a sixth season of startling suspense and unexpected twists. It's been a year since last season's shocking and heartbreaking conclusion, and mild mannered criminologist-cum-grisly serial killer Dexter Morgan has come to terms with who he is. But his existence is shattered when he crosses paths with an enemy unlike any he's faced before. A delusional religious zealot with unflinching convictions, this new adversary soon draws Dexter into a dangerous game that could well end in disaster."
The original Dark Shadows was 'a memorably offbeat ABC daytime drama about a vampire whose extended family are bedeviled by ghosts, witches, and other Gothic woes.'
Johnny Depp has recounted how as a boy he practically raced home to watch Dark Shadows after school each day. I did the same but living in the Northeast (versus Depp's Kentucky) we got released from school too late in the afternoon to watch the entire episode. I still turned it on and caught the second act of each one-hour installment. As Depp says, Dark Shadows was 'very weird' so it didn't really seem to matter that I was only getting about half the narrative. The parts I saw were terrifically fun and seemed quite subversive being unreeled during weekday afternoons.
“I remember seeing a group photograph of the cast of the original series,” he told EW. “For me it captured the weird Dark Shadows vibe in a single image." - Dark Shadows director Tim Burton
'Weird certainly sums up this particular family portrait — a shot director Tim Burton, who also obsessed over Dark Shadows as a boy, staged in the early days of production.
Here’s the Collins family, from left to right with a brief description of each character following:
Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter) – From Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen, to the cannibalistic cook Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Burton can’t help but cast the mother of his children as a deranged person. This prim and proper psychiatrist, who has taken up residence with the Collins family to care for their troubled youngest boy, might seem to break that trend — but don’t bet on it....
Carolyn Stoddard (Chloë Moretz) — Though she played a voracious child vampire in the critically acclaimed Let Me In, Moretz is on the human side of the spectrum in Dark Shadows — though that doesn’t mean this cousin of young David Collins (and daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, seen on the far right) isn’t without her own peculiarities...
Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green) — The Bond girl from Casino Royale turns up here as the villain of the story. “Angelique is a witch who has known Barnabas since the 1700s, when they had an affair that went sour. She is the one who cursed him to be a vampire and locked him in that box...”
David Collins (Gulliver McGrath) — Lonely, confused, and neglected by his pompous father (Jonny Lee Miller, over on the right next to Pfeiffer), David has no one to confide in except his bizarre psychiatrist — and the dead people he claims to see...
Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote) — This young woman arrives to become David’s new governess, only to find herself swept up in the vampire-witch melodrama. “When Barnabas meets Victoria, he’s instantly reminded of the woman he lost in the 1700s, before he was cursed to be a vampire...”
Mrs. Johnson (Ray Shirley) — “Poor old Mrs. Johnson …” Grahame-Smith sighs when talk turns to the old woman seated in the back behind Depp. “She is the mostly blind, mostly deaf maid, who has been with them for decades and decades... I don’t think she actually says anything in the entire film....
Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley) — How awesome is it to play an actual Groundskeeper Willie? The Oscar-nominee for Little Children is... the guy who takes out the trash, mows the lawns, and fixes the cars, except he’s usually so drunk and so disinterested that he doesn’t take his job seriously anymor..."
Roger Collins (Jonny Lee Miller) — This scion of the once-great Collins family is one of the main reasons the aristocratic clan has fallen into such disgrace. “He’s a creepy, self-centered guy who likes to order Willie around, likes to pretend the family is still on top of his game...”
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) — The mother of Carolyn Stoddard, and mother-figure to David, she’s the one adult member of the Collins clan who is at least slightly competent. “Elizabeth is the rock of the family. She’s the matriarch,”...with a witch perpetually trying to destroy her, and a long lost vampire relative turning up to reclaim control...'
SOURCE:EW Weekly - Johnny Depp's true 'Dark Shadows' vampire revealed!
Before shooting, Depp said: “What Jonathan Frid did with that character and that classic look he created… I find it very difficult to stray very far from that. I think it’s going to be somewhere in that arena, with maybe just a couple of different touches here and there.
“I do remember, very vividly, practically sprinting home from school in the afternoon to see Jonathan Frid play Barnabas Collins,” the actor says. “Even then, at that age, I knew — this has got to be weird.” -- Johnny Depp
SOURCE: The Inquisitr - ‘Dark Shadows’ Cast Photo Released; See Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins
Check out the Dexter Key Poster Art (link goes to my prior Dexter post) in Forever A Fangirl's Poster Giveaway:
DexterKey Poster Art Giveaway Below:
(Link goes to my prior Dexter post) in Forever A Fangirl's Poster Giveaway going on NOW--which Dexter fans (that's YOU) should enter by leaving a comment on a Season 6 Dexter post and then checking back here the day after American Thanksgiving--November 25 for my in-post announcement of the winner. OR you can just leave an email addy and I'll shoot you one if you win! Good Luck!
Ooh, so many metaphors come to mind here. The obvious crucifixion or feeling crucified... Is someone being murdered and strung up in Dexter - Season 6? Or maybe a string (no pun) of crucifixion murders! Anything is possible on Dexter. And you know having EJO involved is going to ratchet up the energy and drama quite a bit.
There may even be a bloodbath. In fact, that is pretty much guaranteed.
TVLine.com: Jennifer Carpenter at the 2011 Emmys
CLICK link to view video.
Update: Fun interview with Jennifer Carpenter, who plays Dexter's sister Deb on Dexter. Rumour is that if/when 'Deb' finds out that Dexter is a serial killer, Deb is done for.
Claire Danes and Damian Lewis star in the suspenseful new SHOWTIME Original Series HOMELAND. New episodes Sundays at 10pm ET/PT beginning October 2nd, only on SHOWTIME.
Dexter Poster - Key Art Giveaway!:
Leave a comment saying you'd like a full size copy of the awesome season 6 key art poster featuring Michael C. Hall as Dexter. I'll announce the winner Thanksgiving week. More deets later!
Dexter - Season 6: Episode 1 - 2 Small Spoilers:
Q: Please give us scoop on the new season of Dexter!
A: The season premiere opens on a bleeding Dexter calling 911 to report that he has been stabbed.
Has someone finally discovered his secret and exacted a poetic revenge? Did he slip in a pool of someone else's blood and fall on his own knife? Will he analyze his own spatter pattern while he waits for the ambulance to arrive? Nope, nope and nope.
SOURCE:TVGUIDE (make sure you have you pop-up blocker actived!)
Dexter - Episode 6.01 - Those Kinds of Things - Short Synopsis:
Dexter Morgan attends his 20th high school reunion; Dexter considers his son's legacy; Debra becomes an unexpected hero.
On the subject of HOMELAND, Showtime is teaming up with GameSpot to give away 5000 beta keys to preview the newest version of the first-person shooter game Ghost Recon: http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/ghostrecon/ Beta keys will be given out at random times over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out on Homeland's Facebook and Twitter pages to claim yours!
Also, all of the games at http://watchcareful.ly are live, and starting today, you can unlock the first episode of HOMELAND. Watchcareful.ly is the only place where HOMELAND will be shown unedited online.
Published on Sep 7, 2011 by SHOWTIME
The CIA debriefs Sergeant Brody.
After the jump - Homeland - 'Presumed Dead' Sneak Peek (VIDEO)
True Blood's Season 4 finale was very uneven--much like most of the season:
It's easier to rattle off the 'misses' than the hits so that's where I'll start.
Misses (in no particular order):
1. Alcide's (Joe Manganiello) 'Let's use our brains instead of hearts' chat with Sookie (Anna Paquin). What a way to approach asking a lady out! Having dumped his adulterous, V-addict wife, Debbie Pelt and disapproving of Sookie's choices in men (vampires) he suggests that Sookie start using her head and give him--a werewolf a shot.
This was probably among the longest bits of convo that Joe Manganiello as 'Alcide Herveaux' has had and though others have criticized the actor for being 'wooden,' I did not see it. Until now. Not only did Alcide seal the deal that he will NEVER 'have' Sookie but he pretty much guaranteed that the Alcide storyline is going to evaporate in season 5. Hopefully, Alcide's ending won't be as as brutally abrupt as Jason's stint with the dentally-impaired denizens of Hotshot because let's be honest, he is one fine male specimen. Sookie is going to be man-free for a time--and then--who knows, but at most, a short stint with the wolf-man is all there will be. Too bad.
2. OMG, Marnie (Fiona Shaw) no! Not again with the 'I've been a freak all my life and people are mean, POOR ME.' This has got to be at least the third full-blown pity poor me speech they've given Shaw as the mousy palm reader turned revenge-seeking uber-wiccan. Was her crappy life supposed to justify her behaviour? It would have been better to simply go with her being driven mad. Instead Marnie simply became a harpy. Waste of Shaw's abilities--at least as the season wound down.
3. WTF?! with the long, lingering suckling sounds then wider shot of both Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) feeding on Sookie's wrists?! All three are snug on the sofa with Sookie, as Jason would put it, using Sookie as their own private soda fountain. Just ugh and OMG how freakin' cheesy is the fact that both men were in matching robes? No wonder she dumped them! She knows that a big bromance is brewing between them! Did you see some of the eye-fucking going on between Eric and Bill in the last couple of episodes? I'd love a nice Eric & Bill adventure if only to stir up both sides cheering for Sookie to pick one. The scene though was just icky on all kinds of levels though I think it was meant to be slightly campy and amusing (before Sookie got all traditional and decided she just could. not. love. both of them at the same time).
4. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Hoyt's 3-minute "I'm doing Jesssica' scene: a total waste of three minutes intended simply to give Jim Parrack as Hoyt some season finale face time. I like the actor but this was totally superfluous.
The rest was typical Jason and the one line of any significance was repeated by Jason to Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) after their tryst--no need for Hoyt to have been in thisepisode--at all.
5. Speaking of a waste of time. Kevin Alejandro got plenty of face time. he did not need to engage in the interminable back and forth with the possessed-by-Marnie, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). It went on forever...could have trimmed that by at least a minute with less candle-lighting and chest slashing. RIP 'Jesus', BTW. Kevin Alejandro did a very credible job this season and became a character that the audience grew fond of. That's the point of course, when you know that you will off him before season's end.
6. Luna (Janina Gavankar) & Sam (Sam Trammell). How long did it take them to say a whole lot of nothing and then goodnight? And haven't they been all about nothing? Does anyone care about them? Anyone? I like Sam--who doesn't?--but there is zero chemistry with this pairing and speaking of zero chemistry let's take on the Jason and Jessica storyline that is brewing:
7. Jessica and Jason (above). We get it: they are both really into sex. What else do they have in common? Immature, selfish behavior, punctuated by occasional bravery and selflessness. I'm willing to give this pairing some time in season 5 but what I'm not willing to do is watch the mind-numbingly awful attempts at keeping the actor who play's Jessica, Deborah Ann Woll's, boobies under cover. And by 'boobies' I mean nipples. We get cleavage, we get side boob and maybe even underboob but in the two times we've seen Jason and Jessica make love when her breasts are in camera range she clutches them in an obvious attempt at modesty. Did no one tell her that there is simply no room for modesty on True Blood? The same goofy camera angles and weird use of sheets was employed by Rutina Wesley as well in the two seasons she had a boyfriend. It's very distracting on a show that otherwise is pretty liberal in it's nudity (it is after all, NOT television but HBO).
There were some great moments in the True Blood season 4 finale but not enough--by a long shot--to make a great episode:
Maxine Fortenberry's (Dale Raoul) quips about Sam's shifty bro Tommy's deviousness and thievery which segued into comforting Sam were a nice touch.
Nan Flanagan's (Jessica Tuck) comeuppance at the hands of Eric and Bill was spot on-- though I will miss her.
Pam's (Kristen Bauer van Straten) tirade-to-tears about Sookie's 'fairy vagina' and stupid name only to have Ginger (Tara Buck) uh, gingerly slip an arm around her in comfort was really quite a sight (you just know Pam is going to glamour that memory out of Ginger given the first chance). Scroll down after the jump for the video of the scene.
The return of dead-since season-one Gran (Lois Smith)! It was totally awesome to see her in all her glorious badassery when she literally tore Marnie's spirit out of Lafayette. (The resultant tedious and trite convo between Marnie and Antonia (Paola Turbay) took some momentum out of the scene, however. )
Debbie Pelt's (Brit Morgan) reappearance was no surprise to the 'bookies. With a few change-ups this was how she died in the Sookie Stackhouse series. In the book series however, Sookie took her out alone. 'Book' Tara is a minor character and was in no way involved.
What True Blood Tara did was pretty cool though--but ultimately pretty stupid. She got half of the side of her skull blown away. I think this was done to telegraph to any doubting audience members that yes, at last, the never-written-well character of Tara Thorton is finally over.*
But will Rutina Wesley be back? She, as you can read below, is unsure but 'trusts' Alan Ball and she reminds us, this is True Blood (so anything can happen). Other than short otherworldly-type visits I'm thinking the majority of the audience want Tara gone. We've long since realized that the True Blood writers are incapable of giving the perfectly capable Wesley a storyline she can sink her teeth into. RIP then, Tara and Jesus. I'm assuming though, that the bad guys won't be resting in peace.
Season 4 Finale Grade: B-. Out of the four True Blood seasons so far, I rank Season 1 and Season 2 in that order and Seasons 3 and 4 about on par with one another. Both suffered from sloppy, self-indulgent writing and extremely bad editing. Please, in the name of good screenwriting Alan Ball, please ditch Raelle Tucker. If you have any doubt about this women's rationalle whist writing True Blood, listen to her explain Jessica's sexuality in the 'Inside The Episode' HBO clip (embedded in this post). Tucker explains that she wanted "Jessica' to flaunt her sexuality unashamedly (like a man could). We, the audience however, see Jessica in flagrante, seemingly ashamed of her own body (the breast-clutching). Huge disconnect there. Tip of iceberg in Tucker's writing skills-issues. Don't even get me started on her apparent non-acquaintance with healthy sexuality.
From the 9.12.11 exclusive interview with Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton):
Q: In your mind, is Tara dead?
A: Well I mean half my head is missing.
I’m just gonna keep saying that. You know, it’s True Blood. I feel like anything is possible. If anything, it is the golden hour though. If she is able to be saved, it’s like she’s got 20 seconds. It’s not a lot of time. I’m curious to see what they’re going to do with all of it. I hope I’m back. But again half my head is missing [laughs] ...
I don’t know what their plans are for next season. I know that Alan has said there are “big plans,” but I don’t know what that really means, and things can always change. I’m not for sure, but I trust him completely. At the end of the day, it’s hard to see how I’m coming back, seeing as half of my head was just blown off. I don’t know. They may figure something out. I mean it’s True Blood. There’s always flashbacks. There’s phantasms.
'As much as I like the idea of Dexter, the collateral damage he causes due to his code deviations are too high. I guess it could be attributed to human error, but is it worth the loss of innocent life?
Kills shown in chronological order.
The kill count of each of Dexter's victims is the minimum amount known, there's definitely a lot more deaths that he has avenged.'
"The explosively popular DEXTER® is back with a vengeance for a sixth season of startling suspense and unexpected twists. It's been a year since last season's shocking and heartbreaking conclusion, and mild mannered criminologist-cum-grisly serial killer Dexter Morgan has come to terms with who he is. But his existence is shattered when he crosses paths with an enemy unlike any he's faced before. A delusional religious zealot with unflinching convictions, this new adversary soon draws Dexter into a dangerous game that could well end in disaster."
'How many times has Sookie saved your life, letting you drink from her like your own private soda fountain?' - Jason to Bill:
True Blood Season 4: Eric, Bill, Pam, Jessica, and Jason Clip (Effing Sookie Clip):
Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) and Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) are about to blow up the Moon Goddess Emporium when Jason (Ryan Kwanten) intercedes, informing them that (in addition to Tara) Sookie is now held hostage inside as well. So commences a chorus of exclamations from the vampires beginning with Eric, of 'Effing Sookie.' Jason takes great umbrage at this display of disrespect and ungratefulness and proceeds to stand up to them, ticking off a list of the many ways that Sookie has pulled the vampires' collectives butts out of the fire on multiple occasions.
'Fuck you chump, it's her home!' - Jason to Eric
True Blood Season 4 - Sookie, Marnie, Lafayette, Jesus, and Tara Clip:
'Marnie just puked the bitch out.' Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) the medium, after witnessing Antonia leaving Marnie's (Fiona Shaw) body.
True Blood Season 4 Episode 11 (4x11) Promo - 'Soul of Fire' (HD)
True Blood - Season 4 - September 2011 - Episode #47 Synopsis:
As the Wiccan-vampire standoff reaches a critical juncture, Sookie (Anna Paquin) summons her faerie powers to prevent Marnie (Fiona Shaw) from bewitching Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) into a suicide march, while Jesus (Kevin Alejandro) casts a secret spell designed to un-bind Marnie/Antonia and break the witch’s deadly defenses. Sam (Sam Trammell) settles a score with Marcus (Dan Buran); Alcide (Joe Manganiello) confronts Debbie (Brit Morgan) about her allegiances; Andy (Chris Bauer) finds unexpected passion in the forest; Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is consumed by the past. Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann.
Alexander Skarsgård smolders in HBO's True Blood as the spellbound 1000 y.o. Viking vampire, "Erik Northman":
The official synopsis for True Blood season 4, Episode 10, "Burning Down the House":
"As all hell breaks loose in Shreveport, Sookie summons her most potent powers yet to save Bill, in the process breaking a spell and leading Marnie to re-evaluate her mission. Jason urges Jessica to glamour him for Hoyt’s sake; Terry drags Andy to “Fort Bellefleur” for an intervention; Alcide reconsiders his allegiances after Marcus’ fight with Tommy. Jesus, accompanied by Sookie, Lafayette and Jason, tries to breach the Moon Goddess Emporium’s defenses to liberate Tara and Holly, while Bill leads a brigade of vampires committed to blowing the place to kingdom come."
After the jump - True Blood - Season 4 - September 2011 Episode Press Releases
"There have been times for me when it has occurred to me that I could put my career on hold and become a maker but these last several hours with you have erased those thoughts forever." - 'Nan Flanagan' to a bloody-tears-streaked, broken-hearted-in-love 'baby vamp' Jessica - True Blood Episode 4.09 - 'Let's Get Out Of Here!'
Nan and Jessica play so well off one another! Kudos to actresses Deborah Ann Woll(Jessica Hamby) and Jessica Tuck (Nan Flanagan).
True Blood Season 4 - Jessica and Nan Clip - [VIDEO] [SCREENCAPS]:
True Blood Season 4: Hoyt and Lafayette Clip [VIDEO] [SCREENCAPS]:
True Blood Episode #45 - 'Let's Get Out Of Here'
After the jump: True Blood Season 4: Let's Get Out of Here PROMO:
True Blood Season 4: Marcus and Tommy Clip
[VIDEO]
True Blood Season 4: 'Let's Get Out of Here Promo.'*
Anyone else wondering where True Blood is taking the the Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Jason (Ryan Kwanten) storyline?:
(Cont.)
Or is 'Jay' that great of a BFF to Hoyt (Jim Parrack)? Also, there was that little matter of Jason's nearly-life-wrecking 'V' (vampire blood) addiction, too. Jessica would be quite a package of temptation. Pretty sure Jason would be gone in a flash even if he attempted to succumb to temptation. You just know Hoyt hasn't talked about it -- 'Jessica's problem' -- to Jason. Jessica's eternal vamp virginity is going to be a big shocker for him--if the two ever even get that far.
We haven't seen this scene yet (as of pre- 8.21.11), right ?
Isn't Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) (Episode 8 spoiler) possessed in this shot by the lullaby-singing French lady who is obsessed with poor little Arlene's (Carrie Preston) & the season 1 Bon Temps serial killer's baby, 'Mikey'?
Cool! There are some shots that are from next Sunday or beyond here! Sort of spoilers. I'm pretty sure that is a possessed Lafayette in the (current 8.24.11) shot above.
Your thoughts (about any of these shots)? Note:Be sure to click to enlarge and look through the slideshow. There are many more of the entire True Blood cast--wth several stills of not-yet broadcast scenes).
On Sunday - HBO True Blood Season 4, Episode 9: 'Run' Original Air Date—21 August 2011:
Synopsis True Blood Episode 4.09 -
Convalescing after her latest near-death trauma, Sookie envisions a world where there's room for both Bill and Eric. Jesus tries to purge the restless spirit out of Lafayette; Marcus enlists Alcide to help him deal with the Sam situation; Bill and Nan Flanagan clash over their agendas; Hoyt asks Jason to make a delivery to Jessica; despite Tara and Holly's misgivings, Marnie plots her next move against the vampires, during a "Festival of Tolerance" event at Shreveport.
Next US airings: Sun. Aug. 21 9:00 PM HBO Sun. Aug. 21 11:05 PM HBO
The premium cable television series True Blood, is based on the book series by Charlaine Harris about a telepathic waitress in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps and her fairly speedy realization (after 20-something years) that she is not the only one with special powers, that in fact, Bon Temps is a sort of mecca for all things fang-tasticly supernatural.
Even Sookie herself is less human than she once thought.
The scene in question took place in book four of the Sookie Stackhouse series entitled 'Dead To The World.' It was the first time that Sookie, having found out about her first vampire lover Bill Compton's deception/betrayal, took the Viking vampire, Eric Northman into her bed--or more correctly, shower, where they made crazy-hot, passionate love.
The fans lapped it up and for years have been looking forward with great anticipation to the 'Sookie and Eric shower scene'. Well folks, this is it.
Did it live up to the sky-high expectations that all the waiting and and especially talking up of the scene had generated? In a word, no.
As show-runner (and writer of this episode) Alan Ball had hinted that the shower scene on True Blood wasn't going to play out like the shower scene from the book.
Boy, was he right! Fact is, Sookie and Eric never actually even got wet in the shower. They both were taking the equivalent of "V" trips (vampire blood--humans get high on it) and instead of water emanating from the shower--snow began to fall from above. Then Sookie and Eric found themselves in some kind of Viking forest fantasy world--complete with comfy bed where they hopped in and went to it.
And that, along with some trippy, you-had-to-be-there dialogue , was that. Ball has been knocked--even before this non-shower scene, that he favours the Sookie and Bill (Stephen Moyer) pairing over the Sookie-Eric one. If so, this scene would seem to give further evidence to that assertion. For my money, all the Sookie-Bill scenes have been hotter than whatever heat Sookie and cold, dead lover Eric have generated.
Anna Paquin as Sookie is still very beautiful to look at but for my (cable bill) money I'm more satisfied with Sookie and Bill and in fact, look forward to the day that they reunite. Whether they stay that way is a big question but I have no doubt that before Alan Ball departs, there will be at least one more go-round with Bon Temps's sexiest twosome.
Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) has a "Russell Edgington' moment after he rips out the throat of a Wiccan (HBO credit).
HBO True Blood Season 4, Official Episode 4.09 Promo: 'Run':
UPDATE! Episode 4.08 VIDEO Recap with Screencaps:
Joe Manganiello as True Blood werewolf Alcide Herveaux, carries a limp, gutshot Sookie (Anna Paquin) to safety.
This is NOT a promo--it's only a tease. My bet is there will be more coming up this week--longer, better (maybe) but still I agree with other disappointed #trueblood fans, we absolutely got shorted on the promo for next week's True Blood episode "Run" (4.09).
Season 4, Episode 9: 'Run'
Original Air Date—21 August 2011 Convalescing after her latest near-death trauma, Sookie envisions a world where there's room for both Bill and Eric. Jesus tries to purge the restless spirit out of Lafayette; Marcus enlists Alcide to help him deal with the Sam situation; Bill and Nan Flanagan clash over their agendas; Hoyt asks Jason to make a delivery to Jessica; despite Tara and Holly's misgivings, Marnie plots her next move against the vampires, during a "Festival of Tolerance" event at Shreveport. Next US airings: Sun. Aug. 21 9:00 PM HBO Sun. Aug. 21 11:05 PM HBO
True Blood Season 4 -: Episode 8 "Inside The Episode" with Screencaps:
Inside the Episode #44: Writer Alan Ball and director David Minahan offer their insights:
After the Jump - Recap True Blood Episode #44 'Spellbound' [VIDEO]:
True Blood (HBO) Season 4 Eric & Sookie 'Best Of' Scenes Episode 4.07 "Cold Gray Light Of Dawn':
This compilation video is a really nice effort to bring all things Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) & Sookie (Anna Paquin) together from episode 4.07 in which Eric and Sookie make love for the first time (versus the previous 'blood fantasies' with strong sexual overtones which Sookie experienced from ingesting Eric's blood).
In addition, the possessed Wiccan palm reader Marnie, casts a spell on all vampires which compels them to 'walk in the daylight.' Vampire Bill (Stephen Moyer), now 'Vampire King Bill of Louisiana,' has ordered the extremely harsh measure of 'silvering' all vampires to prevent them from going up in flames to their 'true death.' Sookie stays with the bound and heavily silvered Eric while they wait for the call of the witches. (If video is unavailable please see this post which has overlapping content and should remain available.)
Eric reacts to the witches' call to walk in the sunlight:
True Blood Season 4 - Inside The Episode: Episode #43 (HBO):
Go inside the episode with Writer Alexander Woo and Director Michael Ruscio.
True Blood - Eric & Sookie Make Love VIDEO & PHOTOS:
True Blood Season 4 - Episodes 6 and 7, 'I Wish I Was The Moon', 'Cold,Gray Light of Dawn' Screencaps & Video.
Sookie and a devoid-of-memory but totally smitten Eric, finally give legions of Truebies (True Blood fans) what they've been waiting for--carnal knowledge. HBO copyright.
People often remark about how beautiful Deborah Ann Woll is. I agree completely--especially about the porcelain skin--she has a flawless, creamy complexion though ironically, as a kid she got teased for it.
She was blond then too, and became a redhead and a self-professed 'theatre geek' about 13 years ago. She's one of the actors I most enjoy on True Blood as she brings a magnetism to the screen that is irresistible. (Poor Hoyt and now, Jason. No chance at all! LOL)
SPOILER ALERT:
Bon Temps' witch's coven led by the possessed "Marnie" (Fiona Shaw):
The undead face their greatest threat in tonight’s episode of HBO’s “True Blood” (at 9 p.m.).
In “Cold Grey Light of Dawn,” Marnie (Fiona Shaw) is gone. Her body has been taken over by the 400-year-old witch Antonia, who, as flashbacks revealed, died a gruesome death during the Spanish Inquisition and has good cause to want payback. With her powers, she can compel vampires to walk into the sunlight - to their own fiery doom.
Bill (Stephen Moyer) quickly realizes she could massacre them all. His plan to save his subjects is almost as deadly as the sun itself.
Meanwhile, Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) take their lovemaking to just about every part of Bon Temps it seems, much to the distress of Alcide (Joe Manganiello). Eric decides he doesn’t want his memory back if the price is losing Sookie’s love.
Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) life is saved by TMZ - sort of. Sam (Sam Trammell) uncovers his brother’s deception. Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) realizes the sad truth about her relationship with Hoyt (Jim Parrack), who has no idea his best friend Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is also lusting for the red-headed vampire.
Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) begins to learn just how powerful he is. Could he be key to fighting Marnie? Trouble is, she makes a great case for wanting to rid the world of vampires, one even Bill acknowledges.
At hour’s end, one familiar vamp cannot resist the siren call to daylight …
Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby in the last moments of her human life
At the tender age of 17, True Blood's quasi-innocent vampire Jessica Hamby has studied up on carnal knowledge, killed a horny trucker, and attacked her boyfriend's mom. But this works out just fine for Deborah Ann Woll, the actress who plays her, who gets to live out all her unfulfilled adolescent angst. Woll spills more details on her character's season-four exploits, then got to the bottom of other pressing matters, such as her favorite flavor of blood and her policy on biting folks for a photo op.
Q: Part of being a vampire is being loyal to your maker. How would you defend your character's maker, Bill Compton, who's become a jerky politician?
He's under incredible pressure. And he has some incredibly powerful people making decisions for him. I think Bill is as disappointed with that as we are. Bill is really alone now. He doesn't have a family except Jess, and I think it's really wonderful that this season they get to [bond] quite a bit. Because things aren't going so great with [her human boyfriend] Hoyt, [Bill] is all that she has.
Q: So … Jason Stackhouse and Jessica? Didn't see that one coming. I'm actually really excited about that story line. The thing is, Hoyt is such a great guy, but the really sad part of it is that his mom was right: She told Jess all those years ago that Jess can't give him what he wants. While Hoyt is more open-minded than his mother, Hoyt really wants conventional things. He wants a wife and a normal life. And that's not something Jess is capable of, nor does she want it.
Alexander Skarsgård ('Eric Northman') & Anna Paquin ('Sookie Stackhouse') True Blood Season 4
San Diego 2011 Comic Con True Blood VIDEO & Screencaps:
I think I snagged a few more intriguing screencaps that I've added to the Picasa album but bewarned--they look super-spoiler-ish.
I realize that some scenes (most?) have been rearranged to insinuate something. Even so, certain stuff is right in your face and clearly actual scenes, not dreams. The rest of True Blood - Season 4, as rumoured, looks like a very bumpy ride, particularly for the vampires of Louisiana.
True Blood Season 4: Comic-Con Trailer (HBO):
See what's to come in the upcoming episodes of True Blood Season 4.
Jessica Tuck as 'Nan Flanagan' TreuBlood (HBO) Season 4 2011
SPOILERS Season 4 Comic Con 2011:
Jessica, with wrist's already showing deep silver chain burns, runs through Bill's mansion in the daylight and throws open the front double doors to the bright sunlight.
Also The Authority mouthpiece, Nan Flanagan, King William of Louisiana (Vampire Bill Compton) and Eric a/k/a Amnesia!Eric are, or have been in custody of captors bearing the same silver chain restraints.
Sookie and Eric get it on. I hope she fell this hard and fast on account of his blood that he tricked her into ingesting. She got all moony-eyed over him pretty quickly, like he was a rescue puppy in Adonis form.
Were-bitch Debbie Pelt confesses to were-husband Alcide Herveaux her insecurities regarding Sookie.
She's shown at Sookie's door, being let in--and pulling out something that was clearly being held behind her back like "Surprise!"
I'm thinking maybe sewing scissors?
The Shreveport pack leader harassing Alcide to join up...is Luna, Sam Merlotte's new girlfriend's, -ex. He looks to be tangling with both Sam and Alcide.
Sookie is shot in the gut. It is implied that Alcide carries her to get help as there is a very fuzzy screencaps with tiny Anna Paquin (Sookie) in Joe Manganiello's (Alcide) massive arms.
Deborah Ann Woll as 'Jessica Hamby' True Blood Season 4
I found Episode 4 of Showtime's The Big C really quite appealing, especially the introduction of the Hugh Dancy character, 'Lee'.
Lee is a fellow Stage 4 cancer patient with whom Cathy (Laura Linney) winds up in a clinical trial. Despite their gaping differences or perhaps because of them, the two begin a bonding process that from what I've read (SPOILERS) will culminate in an emotional affair. (Scroll down past the jump for more insight from Executive ProducerJenny Bicks into the creation of the Lee character as well as a rather large hint as to where Lee's path will take him before Season two's culmination.)
I've not seen Hugh Dancy before though certainly I've heard of him as he is quite acclaimed (plus married to the gorgeous, talented Claire Danes). I'm looking forward to seeing how Cathy navigates the uncharted waters of the fast & close connections that can and are made with folks with serious illness. I have no doubt that The Big C will 'keep it real,' which POSSIBLE SPOILER means that we should enjoy Lee's 'possibly' brief interlude in Cathy's life. I have a feeling she is going to be a complete mess when he finallly succumbs. :/
(Image credit: SHOWTIME)
The Big C - Next on Episode 5, 'Cats and Dogs,' Cathy runs into Lee and has a surprising day with him
Worried about finances after Paul's layoff, Cathy decides to pawn her jewelry but runs into Lee and has a surprising day with him; Adam gets himself into a compromising situation he can't escape on his own; Sean is ostracized by moms at a local park when he field tests his eco-friendly homemade sling.
The Big C: Hold-Up
Cathy and Lee turn a frightening situation into a comedy.
The Big C: Materialistic Moms
Sean gives a consumerism lecture to a group of unsuspecting moms.
Screencaps:
After the jump:
Executive Producer Jenny Bicks discusses Cathy's relationship with Lee (Hugh Dancy).
Weeds Episode 5 - Is Nancy Capable of Going Straight?:
A surprise awaits Nancy and Silas in the new episode of Weeds.
Weeds fans are speculating that in this episode, Nancy & Silas seek out Heylia who with Conrad, taught Nancy the ropes when Nancy first started dealing 'weed' back in her bucolic-seeming Agrestic days. Things literally went up in flames and Nancy beat a hasty retreat from what was left of Agrestic so it's quite a mystery as to how, if she indeed is seeking Heylia out, Heylia will react to Nancy showing up on her doorstep.
Weeds: 'Character Witness'
Nancy asks Silas to be her character witness in the custody hearing.
A couple of observations about Weeds: Season 6 thus far. The show has again radically changed it's tone and along with it Nancy's sons Silas and Shane, from whom she been seperated by both an ocean and 3 years behind bars.
Shane initially presented as the Shane of old but he's catching on quickly that his mom has not been 'reformed' as he previously optimistically/naively put it, by her three-year stint in the pokey and further, she is rebuffing every loving gesture he puts forth.
Just prior to Nancy's arrest, elder brother Silas found out that his mother had deceived him about his parentage--Juda Botwin was NOT his real dad. Silas, who was able to support himself quite nicely as a model while in exile seems to relish seeing his mother at the mercy of the prison system, which has seen fit to transfer Nancy to a halfway house to serve out the rest of her sentence. Since everyone's face time with Nancy is quite constrained by her circumstances, most of the family interactions are fraught with tension. True, this is nothing new for Weeds but there's been a significant shift in the family dynamic from Nancy's bumbling through and the family following almost lock-step, to a splintering among them which seems to get more painful with each interaction with the utterly unreformed Nancy.
Next on Episode 5: Nancy travels to California for a court hearing.
Weeds Season 6 Episode 5 : 'Fingers Only Meat Banquet':
With help from her lawyer and Silas, Nancy returns to California to continue her custody battle against Jill; Andy's relationship takes a bizarre turn; Shane gives college a try by enrolling in classes; back on Wall Street, Doug makes do without Nancy.
Screencaps: Weeds Season 6 Episode 5 : 'Fingers Only Meat Banquet'
First promo for Dexter Season 6 - Returning to Showtime in September 2011:
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) Promo Narrative Dialog:
'I always thought that my Dark Passenger was a need I had--but what if I was wrong? Maybe it's not a need; it's a calling. After all, I rid the world of evil people--and if they didn't exist, I wouldn't exist. Is it possible? I serve a ...higher purpose?'
Screencaps! Dexter 'Thank God' Season 6 Promo VIDEO:
Dexter and his ghost daddy (not the True Blood kind) will finally be on level ground this season. "He's going to be much more of a support for Dexter than someone who's always saying, 'Oh, you're making a mistake. Don't do this,'" executive producer Sara Colleton says. Now that they are both fathers, Dexter will "fully realize what [his] father gave up and went through. It makes for a more equal relationship."
Eric's Maker, Godric - Devil on Amnesia!Eric's Shoulder?:
I'm fairly certain, based on the HBO promo for True Blood Season 4 Episode 5, 'Me & the Devil' that the 'devil' in question is Godric (Allan Hyde), Eric's (Alexander Skarsgård) maker, who appears as a 'devil' on Eric's shoulder metaphorically, urging Amnesia!Eric to attack the sleeping Sookie. It makes sense that bits of Eric's memory are seeping into his semi-consciousness, first when speaking in his native tongue to Sookie, now when remembering his maker with whom he had a 1000-year relationship, until Godric's suicide near the end of season 2.
As with many True Blood episodes, there make be other devils (possibly literal ones --yikes!) in episode 5 but from we see so far, Godric is getting the starring title song credit by getting there first in the HBO official promo with this fun little scene.
All in good fun--until someone gets bitten.
True Blood Synopsis Episode #41 (4x05): “Me and the Devil”:
Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy’s accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman’s power; Jason convalesces. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Daniel Minahan.) July 24, 26, 27 and 30 (Credit: HBO, Inc.)
Hey fellow Truebies! I just now had time to rewatch (most of) True Blood Episode 3, 'If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'? on HBOGo, and I was wondering if y'all were left pondering like me:
Why kill off Sookie's faery Godmother NOW?
If you are not a 'bookie' (a reader of the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse novels upon which HBO's True Blood is based) then it may have only been a surprise not a shock when Claudine (played by Lara Pulver) was murdered by Amnesia!Eric right before Sookie's and our eyes.
Claudine had returned to 'our side' to implore, then demand that Sookie return to 'Faery' with her. When Sookie declined her faery godmother's invitation, then stated firmly that she wished Claudine to take a flying leap...she couldn't have known that Eric was listening and would, with his hypervamp-speed snatch Claudine up and proceed to feed on her--fatally. (Scroll down for more HBO copyright screenshots that I clipped---plus the official promo photo stills from this episode.)
In the book series, which I'll gingerly tred around as best I can (some people may interpret this as SPOILERS so be forewarned), Claudine is one of a trio of faery triplets---2 girls and a guy. We've met Claude in the True Blood Faery as a rebel fae who helped save Sookie from Queen Mab. In the books there existeda 2nd female triplet who is dead when Sookie's world and the Fae's 'collide.'
However (and I hope this is making sense) in Alan Ball's True Blood, so far we know of only twin faeries who are related to Sookie, which would leave one with the impression that Claudine is indeed gone forever dead.
But, the HBO True Blood 'Fae' storyline has not yet been fully written (if it ever is to be) with Ball switching up and adapting the story, as he explained to EW.com (scroll down for link to full story).
Just off the top of my head, he and/or the True Blood writers could very well bring back 'Claudine,' if they so chose by simply switching her up with Claudette, her 'dead' faery-sister.
It would be fun to bring faeries back as they were very well-integrated with the Sookie storyline in the novels. OTOH, it costs nothing to imagine the land of the Fae when reading a Harris novel and True Blood as we all know, is 'only' television. Given that season 4 True Blood is featuring witches , werepanthers, werewolfs, (shape)shifters and vampires, there just may be no more room in the FX budget this season for faeries.
Still, I thought that episode 4 was very entertaining. Of course, anything with the memory-wiped Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) is incredibly fun to take in but his competition for Sookie's attention, the new King of Louisiana, William Compton (Stephen Moyer) is pretty darn awesome, too.
Anticipating Season 4 Vampire Bill, most of us it seemed, were lamenting the likelihood of watching him mope due to his breakup with Sookie but he's changed so much--outwardly, anyway. Some Truebies thought Bill Compton 'abandoned' his only sire, Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) despite her choice to move in with boyfriend (toy?) Hoyt, but a nice little scene in this episode showcased their continuing mutual affection and support--while also giving us a glimpse of super-cautious, sort-of-uptight Bill that we've come to know and love from previous True Blood seasons.
There was lots more--notably where my girl-crush, Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) got tossed by her maker Eric, across Sookie's living room after verbally threatening Sookie (sense a pattern, here?). When Pam stood up and began to approach Sookie again, Amnesia!Eric cautioned her to 'be nice' to Sookie.
The Death Of Sookie's Faery Godmother [PHOTOS]:
Click to enlarge
Sookie: 'You just killed my faery Godmother!'
Amnesia!Eric: 'Sorry.'
EW EXCLUSIVE: 'True Blood': Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris discuss Sunday's shocking death of [SPOILER] --
Entertainment Weekly’s EW.com has spoken exclusively to True Blood executive producer Alan Ball and author Charlaine Harris about the death of Claudine in this past Sunday’s episode. Many fans of Harris’ original novels were surprised by the death scene, which doesn’t occur until much later in the book series. But there’s more left to see in Sookie’s fairy world: "After everything that was going on with the fairies in the first episode, I think we wanted to sort of put a pin in that, but obviously it’s not over," says Ball. "I felt it would have more impact if it was someone we knew as opposed to just a random fairy."
And Harris is okay with the change. "If [Ball] can be gracious to me, I can certainly be gracious enough to wait and see where he’s going."
A Series of 'Cute' Amnesia!Eric Clips' & Screencaps:
True Blood Season 4: Sookie, Claudine, and Eric Clip:
On True Blood it is 'cute' when someone kills your SPOILER! faery godmother --according to some of the YouTube comments/'Eric Northman' fans. (In fairness, this clip from the scene is played pretty comically). It appears that Sookie's Fairy Godmother, Claudine, returned to 'our side', obviously deliberately, but didn't anticipate (quickly enough, anyway) 'Amnesia!Eric' and his faery bloodlust. From what we know thus far, Claudine was ordered by Queen Mab of the Fae to kidnap Sookie to bring her to the land of the Fae permanently to 'breed' as the vampires had almost wiped them out (see Eric and what is left of Claudine in the video above). Sookie escaped with the help of Claudine's brother , a rebel Fae named Claude. In the books they are the surviving 2 triplets, with a another female having previously been killed. The Fae it turns out, are not what they seemed. Here's Claudine in her 'Earthly' form:
Pam (distraught): I believe Bill set Eric up and sent him into that coven... knowning it was a trap...wouldn't be the first time he tried to get rid of Eric...
Sorry Truebies, That Shower Scene Will NOT Be (cont.):
Just as the more intuitive True Blood fans suspected, telepath-part-faery 'Sookie Stackhouse' (played by Anna Paquin) and nice guy werewolf 'Alcide Herveaux' (Joe Manganiello) will not be involved in a romantic relationship in Season 4 True Blood (*pause here to digest this distressing news*), according to TV Guide (scroll down for link).
It seems, as in the books, Alcide gets back together with his werebitch V-junkie ex-girlfriend, Debbie Pelt (have to love that name!). Truth be told, I'm unsure if Alcide will ever get involved with Sookie given that HBO bothhas not yet renewed True Blood for season 5 nor has Alan Ball inked a deal with the cabler, despite the sky-high season 4 debut ratings. Seems likely that the two situations probably go hand-in-hand. Ball has dropped hints in various places including Issue # 1113 of Rolling Stone magazine, in which he says:
'I am negotiating for a season past this one...but I don't believe True Blood is 100% dependant on my participation. It has a very strong following and a really strong cast, and there could be future where I step back and the show would continue.' - Alan Ball, True Blood creator & showrunner
TV Guide SPOILERS:
Q: Loved the True Blood premiere, but where the heck is Alcide? TVGuide: He'll show up in Episode 3, but he will be "spoken for," as they say, which will provoke an interesting reaction from Sookie. Nevertheless, Sookie will need his help. "The great thing about Sookie is that she drags him off on all these adventures," Joe Manganiello tells us. "She's the key in unlocking that reluctant hero inside of him and he recognizes that as a good thing."
Ausiello Spoilers - 'The Eric & Sookie Shower Scene':
Q: I have to know — will this season of True Blood have the smokin’ hot Sookie/Eric shower scene featured in the book?
Ausiello:Yes… and No.
“There is a shower scene,” explains exec producer Alan Ball. “But it is not a direct re-enactment of the shower scene in the book. It goes to a slightly different place.” “Sookie and Eric are in the shower together,” confirms Ball, who assures me that, “Everybody who’s been waiting for Sookie and Eric to hook up, this will be a very good season for them.”
Q: Any more details onScott Foley’s True Blood role? Ausiello: “He was Terry’s platoon leader in Iraq,” says Ball of Foley’s character, Patrick. “So they [share] a military history.” ...Foley will debut in the Season 4 finale and then recur throughout Season 5. Ball, meanwhile, confirms that a deal is not yet in place for him to return as showrunner for a fifth season. “I’m negotiating,” he says. Of course, HBO hasn’t renewed the show itself — but Ball isn’t worried. “There are no plans for this show to end,” he assures. “I’m pretty sure there will be at least one more season, if not more. It seems like it has a lot of life in it still.”...
This sneak peek is very, very funny. I so love Uncle Andy (Justin Kirk) and Alexander Gould just gets better each season. Having literally grown up in his role of Nancy's misunderstood (some call him 'weird') younger son 'Shane,' he really seems now more than at any time, to exude complete comfort when wearing his 'Shane suit'.
Weeds - 'Game Time'
Doug tells an old friend about his relaxed lifestyle, but gets a sales pitch to re-enter "the game."
HEY!:
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
Is Weeds' Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) 'the same ol' Nancy'? Do you really need to ask? Even if you don't, it is big fun finding out how much of 'old' Nancy remains and how much 3 years in prison have changed her--for good or ill.
Then there are 'the guys' -- Nancy's family plus 'Doug' (Kevin Nealon), for whom Nancy, as creator Jenji Kohan states, is their 'True North.' Watch for them to abandon Amsterdam for Nancy's new stomping grounds--New York City--but don't expect each of them to be on board for the move.
Weeds Season 7, Episode 2 - From Trauma Cometh Something
Struggling to create a new life for herself in New York, Nancy is thrown for a loop when Andy and Shane show up on her doorstep; Silas seeks to launch a state side modeling career; Doug looks up an old friend.
SPOILERS: Nancy - Gay For the Stay?:
Q: How could Nancy betray her cellmate/lover like that on Weeds? Is that the last we'll see of her?
A: Don't count on it, executive producer Jenji Kohan says. But also don't count on it being all hearts and flowers next time they meet. (Remember, said girlfriend did set fire to her last boyfriend.) "Zoya is a woman of passion," she adds. "[But Nancy was just] gay for the stay."
Everyone's favorite TV troublemaker, Michelle Trachtenberg, is set to cause some serious trouble for Nancy Botwin on 'Weeds' this season.
Like Mary Kate Olsen before her, Trachtenberg will play a pot dealer on the Showtime series -- but her character will be one of Nancy's rivals, not one of her coworkers. Look for the actress also known as Georgina Sparks to pop up in two episodes this season.
I have a sneaking suspicion that also 'like Mary Kate Olsen before her,' Trachtenberg's character is going to be bedding Silas (Hunter Parrish). Call it a hunch because it isn't a spoiler. ;)
After the jump: The FULL Season 7 Episode 1 of WEEDS!
New Season 4 True Blood Scenes Video and Screencaps (6.28.11)!:
True Blood Season 4: Critics Spot (6.28.11) [VIDEO]
This NEW True Blood tease is kinda cool because it, as is True Blood's way, answers some questions (sort of) and raises a few more. Like for example, what is up with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård)?! In the clip, 'Eric' has dropped fang, looks angry and/or distraught, has a pretty ladder beside him and someone has just shut him inside...whereever he is--his luxury 'hidey hole' at Sookie's rehabbed home, perhaps?
I also dig seeing the beginning of the end of SPOILER!!! witch Hallow Stonebrook in the 1700's as she is being burned (I presume) at the stake. I'm pretty certain that that scene will entail torture preceding the actual burning--my cue to cover my eyes. 'Hallow' is the present day malevolent spirit inhabiting Marnie's (Fiona Shaw) body--giving her crazy strong black magic powers. Enjoy the video and be sure to scroll down for the screencaps from this and another very recent True Blood promo video--and click through to my True Blood screencaps, photo stills, wallpapers and screensavers albums for hundreds more.
Catch the new season of True Blood on Sunday nights at 9pm. For more information on True Blood, go to http://itsh.bo/ibzU7X or jump in on the Twitter conversations http://twitter.com/truebloodhbo #TBWITHDRAWAL.
Watch True Blood online at HBO GO® http://itsh.bo/hWfz80. Free with your HBO subscription through participating TV providers.
BRING IT ON. Mondays are hotter than ever, on SHOWTIME ®.
After explaining why in a recent post that if you enjoy award-winning, edgy comedy television why you should be tuning in to Weeds on Monday, June 27 at 10 E/ 9pm Central on Showtime, I'm going to tell you a bit about The Big C, which is also an edgy half-hour comedy starring another award-winning stage and screen actor, Laura Linney, which is premiering on Monday night, too.
The Big C directly follows Weeds on Mondays at 10:30 E/ 9:30 Central on Showtime.
Full disclosure: I started watching The Big C last year as 1. Laura Linney is amazing and 2. It followed Weeds so it was easy to just spend an hour and see two complete shows, plus 3. More and more in recent years I find myself really intrigued by Showtime's off-beat offerings.
(To put it diplomatically, I'm finding most of the television that I enjoy best on the two major premium cable channels.)
I wanted to love The Big C but after nearly half it's run, I quit watching.
I didn't dislike it exactly. There were just aspects of it that sort of struck a weird chord with me. The show after all, is a very dark comedy about a woman in her 40's who is struggling to deal with a diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. That is one heavy topic to take on in any context, never mind a comedic one.
Despite my not following through, Laura Linney struck gold--a Golden Globe to be specific, as best actress in a comedy which further validates that the show had and has huge potential. The people that make the show listened to some of the feedback--both positive & negative and they responded by segueing into season 2 with a bit of a different tone.
For one, and I think it was the primary thing that I wished was different, the character of 'Cathy' who was estranged from her husband last season will help him 'grow up' this season, as Linney puts it. I've embedded cast interviews in a Weeds /Big C mash-up video selection in this post.
Her husband is played by the very likable actor (I want to say 'lug') Oliver Platt. Cathy was just so mean to him last year and though I understood why--because he's a bit thick about certain subjects--I also felt sorry for him and I felt irritated with her.
Also, at times in season 1, Cathy's attitude seemed really over-the-top, with almost a slapstick feel to some scenes. Again, Linney addresses this in the interview that Cathy's 'relationship with her cancer' is now 'evolving'. I would like to see Kathy retain the fire in her belly but express it in a somewhat less expansive/destructive way and I'm pretty sure season 2 will move more in that direction.
Finally, Cathy's decision to not seek treatment for her cancer left me feeling really unsure about her future (and thus, the future of the show). I didn't know whether to commit to it or not plus I was a bit annoyed with her that she wouldn't even try to help herself medically. This too changes in the upcoming season 2.
It's looking like there are some really strong positives to this season. First, the excellent primary cast returns (sans of course, 'Marlene'). One of the relationships I got the most enjoyment from in The Big C, season 1, was that of Cathy and her brother Sean, a homeless manic-depressive who now lives on Marlene's front lawn, across the street from Kathy.
Actor Benjamin Hickey who plays Sean, is an especially good acting match-up with Ms. Linney so this is good news.
As I mentioned before, I really enjoy Oliver Platt in his believable denseness. Women have known, and many of us are in relationships with guys like Paul. The bottom line is that he seems like a really decent chap who is hard not to like despite his foibles and it would seem in Season 2 that Cathy comes to the same conclusion.
I stopped watching before I saw much of Cathy and Paul's teenage son, Sean (played by Oliver Basso). Tonight I watched a short fan clip from The Big C with the title 'The saddest scene in The Big C,' in which Basso was the only character. (cont.)
(Above is a bit longer version of it which gives it more context).
The scene lived up to it's title as tears were streaming down my face as Cathy's son discovers that she is so sure she's not gong to be there for him in the years to come that she's bought and wrapped a storage room full of birthday, Christmas, and graduation gifts as well as a pretty, red sports car. The kid just loses it--cue audience to do the same.
To sum up, I'm sold on taking another look at The Big C in season 2 as I like what I'm hearing about it. Also, I'm totally jazzed that guest actors include Alan Alda, Parker Posey, Cynthia Nixon & Hugh Dancy.
What do you think about watching these two show? Have you been watching them both. One? None? Would you consider giving them a shot?
Showtime describes The Big C thusly:
Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe® winning role for a new season of The Big C, the hit Showtime Original Series about living… with cancer. After spending most of season one ignoring her illness, Cathy Jamison has decided to fight back. “Bring it on,” says Cathy, as she enters an experimental clinical trial while continuing to live life to the fullest in this heartfelt and surprising comedy.
HEY!:
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
Next on Episode 6 Grammy Gallagher visits; Frank learns who Eddie's beneficiary is.
