Friday, March 18, 2016

The X Files: Finding the reasons behind my sudden obsession (sort of...)

Finally, the reason why I even starting rambling on about TV shows is that I was trying to figure out why all of a sudden, I have this full blown obsession with The X Files. 

The X Files first premiered back in the early nineties.  I think I didn’t watch American television for almost 30 years.  Is that possible?  I don't remember any shows from that time, at least I don't even recall having a favorite.  Oh!  I didn't watch American shows because my parents had the monopoly of the television!  I remember now, the eighties was when the video tape rental for Hong Kong's TVB first came out and I had no say whatsoever in what was on TV or put into the VCR.  I got to see some of the longest running dramas and I believe that is how I learned to speak better Cantonese, more or less.

Growing up, I had always liked the paranormal, the mysteries of the universe, astronomy, feng shui, spiritual aspects of certain religions.  It probably had a lot to do with the company that I was keeping at that time too.  I learned a bit of Tibetan Buddhism, Feng Shui, and Polar Star Astrology along the way.  My Mom had some... interesting experiences... that I was privy to. 

Anyways, I do have some vague memories about The X Files and I don't know why but I know the theme song.  I did catch an episode or two when it was on reruns a few years back, probably Season 8 or 9, I found it confusing and a bit too out there with the Super Soldier thing. I remember thinking that it was dark, weird, creepy and eerie.  I am not into creepy and eerie shows.  Actually I hate horror shows and if I have to watch it, I would cover my eyes and would have jitters for days after.  So, I was never a fan or even remotely a diligent watcher of the show.

But then… I heard about this reboot or reunion or whatever they want to call it and I found myself intrigued.  I thought this show must be pretty special for them to be able to come back after 14 years since the series ended.  Then seeing an older David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson triggered a strong sense of... nostalgia.  Don’t ask me why, I can’t even figure it out yet.  So with my Hulu account, I was able to watched all 9 seasons, 202 episodes.  I even finished the 2 featured movies.  I found myself enchanted with Dana Scully, portrayed by Gillian Anderson.  The character, Scully became more and more interesting as the series continues.   Binge watching's advantage is that I could watch the character's development in a very short amount of time compared to the course of the entire series.  I watched Scully grow up, blossom and mature in 3 weeks time.  The creative team of writers did a beautiful job creating one of the most iconic female television character over the course of the series.  I watched Gillian changed from a young innocent to a beautiful strong woman very comfortable and confident in her own skin.

I enjoyed the funny episodes a bit more than the horror monster shows.  Bad Blood was really quirky and funny.  There were quite a bit of humor in many of the shows and I liked the episodes that tugged at the heart strings.

Watched the new season and to be honest, on one hand, I was disappointed with the stories but it did fill me with a sense of satisfaction that people can age with grace and beauty.





Thursday, March 17, 2016

Not hip or with it at all!

I am feeling really old here.  My boss' daughter is in her early twenties and it is amazing to me that all these television shows that she watch, I have not seen one of them.    I just don't get what is so interesting about watching a guy dating a bunch of girls and proposing later.  I just don't get it.  Or shows about losing weight?!?  She tells me that it is inspiring.  Okay... I would click on a YouTube video once in a while if it pops up on my FB page about great talent on American Idol or the variety of The Voice.  The whole thing about the Kardashians and the Dugars?  WTF!  Those American viewers that are so into them... really scares me.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Do you see a recurring theme, Rhonda?!??!

You love shows that are character driven with strong leads, they have to have a touch of comedy, they are procedural crime fighting shows...

You know, I use to like watching Criminal Minds and it has a great cast but... it was just too dark for me.  I couldn't really watch these horrific killings week after week.  What drove me crazy was that the damn screen is so dark that I wasn't sure half the time what I was actually watching.  I gave up on this show after 3 seasons.  It is still going incredibly strong but I haven't been able to get my mind wrapped around it again.

NCIS. One lead or is it?   What can I say?  Definitely in the top 5 go to shows for me.  Mark Harmon’s character Agent Gibbs is my dream guy.  I am in love with Gibbs!  Love his dry humor, his code of honor, his soft spots and is a man of few words.  

Great acting, great writing and storytelling from the entire cast.  Out of all the guys in these shows I listed, Gibbs is really special.  Too bad he doesn't really have a life outside of work... except for carpentry but I think that is his therapy.  I so enjoy the rest of the cast but I adore Abs.



I have to confess to watching... Green Arrow and The Flash!  Okay, my comic nerd coming out in full swing.  Oliver is very good looking in the brooding menacing kind a way.  Barry?  Nice boy next door.  I enjoy these two shows for purely entertainment purposes.  Not much emotional impact, not even with our super hero back stories.  I do like Cisco, though.  He’s nerdy funny. 


 

Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Rizzoli & Isles...

I enjoy their friendship and I think this is great to have a show with 2 smart female leads.  I liked the first couple of season when the show focused more on Jane and Moura but when Jane’s family had a tad more air time, it got a bit boring and I thought it took away some of the shows charm.  

Is it possible to have such a close same sex relationship without crossing the "Oh so gay" line?   
"The show was created and is executive-produced by a woman, and it’s starring these two women who are very different people. They’re very different characters, and so we have a lot more estrogen on our show than most shows ... And I think that it’s a great thing because we have a woman spearheading it and she is writing these characters in a way that is just much deeper.  They are, they’re deeper. Their relationship; it could be sexual one day ... Who knows?"  - Sasha Alexander (Moura)
Interesting, no?  


Sad that TNT is ending this show after Season 7.  

Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Forever...

Too bad “Forever” was cancelled after just one season.  It was fun and I truly enjoyed in most part Henry’s immortality predicament.  One season wasn't enough for the characters to really develop to the extent where I would be devastated when there would be no more to be made.  There was nice chemistry between Henry and Jo.  Judd Hirsch is always funny, loved him since Taxi.  I like Joel alas Lucas, he’s funny and I miss him as the squint, Fisher, from Bones.  


This is a show I go back and watch one or two of the episodes when the mood strikes me for something a bit tragic.  


Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Elementary... 

I watch Elementary because the Chinese in me secretly is proud to see an Asia female lead in prime time network television.  I have watched Lucy before in other work and I think she has come a long way and paid her dues over the course of her career.   

I started watching and was caught by Jane Watson's back story because it reminds me of my niece, who decided after graduating from CAL Tech with a Civil Engineering background and had been working a couple of years in that field could suddenly decide that what she really wants in life was to be a medical doctor and went back to school for her M.D.  One moment in life can change the course of ones entire future.  It takes a hell lot of courage and determination.   

Back to Elementary, I put it on my “to watch” list.  I enjoy Watson and I get a headache watching Holmes.  I like Captain Gregson and the Detective Bell.  But I wished there was a bit more "chemistry" between the Sherlock and Jane.  It doesn't have to be romantic chemistry but something.  I see glimpses of it every so often but a lot of times, their "partnership" feels... lacking.  I don't have a particularly favorite episode... yet.  


A side note since I mentioned Asian actors on prime time, I watched a couple of episodes of Fresh of the Boat, didn’t enjoy it because I think maybe it was too close to home and yet not really.  I felt it was kind of offensive stereo typing of an Asian/Chinese family.  

What and why I watch certain shows... Bones

With hundreds of shows to watch on cable, network, and streaming on a computer, how does one decide what to watch?  I am very simple and not too adventurous, I tend to stick to just a couple of shows that I already liked and become fiercely loyal to those said shows.   

Over the past 6 years, my favorite show is Bones.  The show has been in mid-season hiatus for so long that I am losing interest.  I really hate Fox for the last few years on how they treat this show.  They move the show to all over the week and it is like, "Well, lets see if Bones will survive here!  If not, maybe we can finally cancel them!"  Too bad for the stupid suits that the fans do follow this show to whatever night of the week.

Then Fox went ahead and put Bones on  FOUR months mid-season hiatus.  They announced a week ago that the show will end next year with a shortened season 12.   Whoopee!!  Bones is renewed for next year but they have been cancelled too!  I am at lost to what kind of bullshit reaction I am suppose to be having regarding this news.  Maybe the show has ran its course and hopefully Season 12 will be a satisfying ending to a great run.


Anyways, I love this show because it has a great ensemble of characters.  Brennan, Booth, Hodgins, Angela, Cam, Caroline, Sweets, Aubrey, Squints... all put in to make this show great entertainment. Granted that there was a season 6 that was extremely painful to watch.  
There were a few favorites that I loved watching and will go back and enjoy them over and over again.  In Season 1, the Christmas episode, The Man in the Fallout Shelter;  Season 2, Alien in a Spaceship;  Season 4, The Hero in the Hold;  Season 4, The Double Death of the Dearly Departed (Funny!);  Season 8, The Patriot in Purgatory, 

I have been searching since December for new shows to watch and I did find a few very enjoyable ones.