Supernatural, when cable channels get it right!

So for me, this is what happens when non-network channels get it right! Supernatural was created in the days when all your good shows were on the major networks, and cable channels had either crappy content or syndicated major network content. I remember Supernatural being one of the first really great, high quality, big-budget cable shows around. On the unheard-of WB then later the CW no less.

I've been hooked from the first episode.  I've watched Sam  Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and brother Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) grow as both actors and characters. I've seen the show move from a loose "monster of the week" type show to the multiple episodes and season ark spanning powerhouse it is today. I have to admit it was maybe a bit cheesy in the early seasons as the writers, producers, and actors found their stride. But once they did the show really becomes something truly amazing. 

We went from a new monster each week to monsters and demons. We watched the Winchester brothers battle the forces of hell. Then came angels, and we learned they aren't always all that much better than demons. Then came Lucifer. Oh boy, how that got interesting. We see Dean go to hell, and Sam gets caged with Lucifer and Michael. Two very angry arch-angels you don't want to get trapped in a box with. We even meet God's sister, The Darkness, and finally the God himself. 

We see story Arcs about their mother, their father, their grandfather. We get stories about how a "Prophet" of God writes a book series about their lives called.... Supernatural. We see them get transported to OUR world, where they are actors in a TV show called Supernatural, and all the actors, producers, and creators play themselves. A mischievous entity (no spoilers) put them on a series of game shows. And we get to see what people without souls are like. They are good about mixing it up and throwing in fun episodes here and there. 

But as good as Jared and Jensen are, it's the supporting cast that really makes this show something. We have the ever-popular Bobby (Jim Beaver) who is like a surrogate father, their angel buddy Castiel (Misha Collins ) who was just supposed to be a six-episode character in season 4 but whom the fans liked so well he's still a major character on the show to this day in season 13. Next up we have our favorite demon Crowley played by the amazing (Mark Sheppard), who becomes their best "Frenemy" and is active in the show from season 5 to today's season 13.

There is also a large cast of reoccurring characters who show up from season to season here and there. Sometimes getting their own mini-arc every few years or so. One of the unwritten rules seems to be that no one is really dead, and you never know when someone might show back up for an episode or two. It seems neither heaven nor hell can keep people from the Winchesters! One of the interesting aspects of the show this creates is how the world is constantly building and growing, but its internal history remains alive even 13 years later. It's a huge nod to the die-hard fans who have supported the show from its beginnings! There are almost constant throw-backs to earlier episodes and events, even from 5, 10, or 13 years prior! Nothing that would cause a new viewer to feel lost, but a neat aspect of the show for those who have seen it all!

The actors really get put through their paces in this show. They are often possessed by other beings and have to act like someone else. And they all can handle this demand on their talents extremely well. Personally, I think Misha really shines in this, I find him an amazing actor. In one of the recent arcs he's possessed by Lucifer, and he nails the facial expressions and mannerisms of the actor that most commonly plays Lucifer so well it's uncanny. And in the episode he plays himself, our worlds Misha, the difference between his normal character Castiel and him playing "himself" is just amazing. I have true respect for his talents. 

But they all get chances to shine, and there are moments that really stand out. For me, one of the best moments in the show is when Dean becomes extremely scared of anything and everything. He becomes a totally different type of person. In one scene I'll never forget, he's surprised and he screams and reacts like a teen girl who just had the life scared out of her. You would swear he WAS a teenage girl there for a moment. I honestly had to stop the show and just laugh for like 5 solid minutes. To see badass Dean act like that, and so well, I just couldn't stop laughing. It was pure gold! In fact, I have to include it just for fun!

I could go on about each character, but I think this has gone on long enough. If you haven't seen it I suggest giving it a try. It's one of my favorite shows on TV!!

The Librarians, a strangely good show...

This show is a little strange to me. I really enjoy it, but I can't explain exactly why. The writing is a little weak at times, the stories are a bit campy. The acting, primarily Baird, is off. But still I enjoy the show and look forward to the next episode each weak.

There is nothing new here. It's stories and themes we've all seen before. It's a mix of Supernatural, Charmed, and Friends. The character of Baird really bothers me however. Or I should say the back story they gave her does. She's supposed to be some bad ass military Colonel, only Rebecca Romijn can't pull it off. The problem isn't with her per say, and I'd like her fine if they would just have skipped the whole Colonel McBadass thing, but it grates on me how badly they cast that role. How totally unbelievable it is. Completely miscast is being nice about it. But it doesn't ruin the show.

The cast works well together, and you do get sucked in. It's funny, and does have some good stories. Even if they are nothing ground breaking or new. It's really the Librarians themselves, and how they interact and bounce off each other that makes the show what it is. And you have to love John Larroquette as Jenkins. I've loved him as an actor since Night Court. I'm not totally unsure he isn't largely why I watch (and he BETTER not be dead, all I'm saying!).

I'm not going to say it's the best TV out there, but if you like the supernatural/magic type shows, it's worth your time to check out a few episodes and see what you think. Nothing earthshatteringly new may be found here, but it's a new take on an old theme. And it's funny and mostly entertaining.

Worth watching? Yeah, I'd say so.

Altered Carbon, Netflix nails it this time!

New shows come and go. Some are good, some are bad, some are just ok. Then some.... some are amazing enough to bring a retired blogger back, and motivate him to create a new blog, just to talk about it.

Altered Carbon is one of those shows.

There is nothing I've seen that reminds me more of Bladerunner than Netflix's new creation. That of course can't be coincidence. But that's ok. They did an amazing job. The feel of this new world has that Bladerunner grit. The dark sooty future where the masses huddle in the gutters and under the shadows of humanities own weight. But this is not Bladerunner. Everyone here is a replicant, flung out among the stars. Class warfare is the core of this story, and what it is to be human. It isn't about humanity verses it's creations, it's about what humanity has done to itself. This is TV at it finest.

I'm not sure I've watched a show that touches on so many themes so well. I know I've never seen one that immersed me so quickly and thoroughly. I watched all 10 episodes at once, the day after it came out. I just couldn't stop. There is lots here we've seen before. None of the ideas, or even the visuals are new. But the way they are strung together, and the incredible way they are presented, are something we've longed for without knowing. I don't know the creators stories, but I know they were fans of both Bladerunner and Firefly. Bladerunner in the visuals of this world, and even some of the themes. Firefly in the feel and the heart of the story. I'll eat my shorts if the multiple references to firefly's in several of the episodes was accidental. We even have a faint impression of the Browncoats. They took the best of the things I love most, and made them into something new and amazing.

The writing is amazing, the casting is amazing, the visuals are amazing. This is a must see show I'm going to be telling everyone who will listen about. I don't give in depth reviews, it's not my thing. I give overall impressions and a summary. So I won't go into too many details here. But there isn't a character in this entire show that doesn't have some depth. Every person we meet is fleshed out and real. You CARE for these people, their hopes, their dreams, their feelings. Even the bad guys. This shows doesn't lose you in the tech and science of what's going on, it's just a back drop for the story. This show is about the people, their struggle, all of their struggles. This is a show about humanity. And how it's lost. It has spills, it has chills, it's sultry and it's graphic. And it's one twist after another. It's so well done I don't know how they are even going to keep it going, but I hope with everything I have that they do. This is simply the best of the best TV has to offer us.

And you know it's good when the one person whom your the saddest to see go away.... isn't even a person. I think we have Orison Scott Card to thank for that. But you'll have to watch it to see what I mean.

And I do suggest watching it.