A look back at the best and worst of the past week on TV, and a look ahead to what’s coming up.
Highlights
1. “Lost.” Great episode, aside from the cheesy Smoke Monster and ridiculous wigs. Ben-centric episodes are always good, and this was no different. Nice to get a few answers about Ben’s history and what went down at the marina in L.A. (Does anyone else suspect we haven’t seen that entire scene play out? What exactly does he want to apologize to Desmond for? I think something happened after Ben fell into the drink.) It’s the little things, the intriguing hints and mysterious glimpses that drive viewers’ imaginations, and this week had some doozies, the biggest being Locke’s newfound confidence (not to mention his alive-ness) and the New Losties’ nefarious actions and code words. There are only four episodes left this season, if you can believe that, and things seem to be picking up speed for an epic ending.
2. “Rescue Me.” This wasn’t a great episode in itself, but it was just good to have the show back. After being off the air for 18 months or so, it was nice to get re-acquainted with Tommy and the gang. For such a dramatic show, its comedic touches are underappreciated. When it’s on its game, “Rescue Me” can be one of the funniest shows on TV. This episode had a good mix of humor, laid the groundwork for new plotlines and didn’t overpower with depressing storylines.
3. “Trust Me.” This ad-agency dramedy never took off the way I hoped it would, but it was a solid, entertaining show. The season (and almost certainly series) finale aired Tuesday, and I’ll miss it now that it’s gone. It was a well-done finale, doing a nice job of wrapping up this season’s storylines yet leaving it open-ended enough to suggest the series could continue. Though imperfect (the over-the-top product placement bugged me the most), the series had (mostly) likable characters and made viewers (well, me at least) care about the inner workings and backstabbings of the advertising world. I even thought some of their ad campaigns were better than the real things. I wish it had decided whether it wanted to be a workplace drama or a relationship drama, and I would have liked a little more character development and less whining and petulance. But despite those flaws, it was a compelling series. Smart series are hard to find, and it’s always a little sad when one goes away.
UPDATE: Yep, as expected, word came down Friday that “Trust Me” has indeed been canceled.
Lowlights
1. “Surviving Suburbia.” The longest and stupidest 30 minutes on network television. And the return of Bob Saget. But why? Was anyone clamoring for more Bob Saget? Pointless, generic and unfunny, it seems the show’s sole purpose is to suck.
2. “Reaper.” I actually liked the episode as a whole, but the part with Sock sleeping with his step-sister was, frankly, creepy. I know it’s 2009, but incest still isn’t particularly funny. That whole storyline just seems wrong and misguided. Where can that storyline even go from here? It’s that pent-up sexual tension that leads to conflict and comedy — once that’s gone, there’s just the awkward silence afterward.
3. Any scene involving Spencer on “The Hills.” This guy has to be the most despicable character on TV. I was so hoping he’d get his butt kicked by that sleazy hipster in the bar fight on Monday’s episode. I can’t wait until this series has run its course and he’s a nobody again (and you know that day is coming). I almost feel sorry for Heidi for falling for his pathetic act again and again and again.
Looking forward to . . .
1. “Lost.” (9 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) Switching back to 1977, it looks like we’ll finally find out what Miles is doing on the island, and how he can talk to dead people. Also, the Dharma folks realize L’il Ben is gone, and Kate & Sawyer will have some ‘splaining to do.
2. “Amazing Race.” (8 p.m. Sunday, CBS) It’s back! It’s been a long two weeks. I hate how the networks interrupt the series flow like that. But we rejoin the teams in Bangkok. I hope the Stuntmen get the boot, but I have a funny feeling it’ll be a non-elimination leg.
3. “Deadliest Catch” (9 p.m. Tuesday, Discovery) It’s opilia crab season (those are the small ones) in the Bering Sea as the fifth season of this surprisingly gripping docu-drama kicks off. Cap’n Sig and the Northwestern are my favorites, and I hope Phil Harris is back and in good health after last season’s life-threatening punctured lung. I probably won’t actually watch it Tuesday — for me, “Deadliest Catch” is more of a show to watch in a weekend afternoon marathon. Which I’m sure I’ll do in a few weeks.
