A look back at the best and worst of TV in the past week (Aug. 29-Sept. 4), and a peek at what’s coming up.
Highlights
1. “Mad Men” (Sunday, AMC). Everyone seemed to be stuck. Don had to pretend to have a good time at Roger’s country club soiree, Peggy and the creative folks were stuck working on the weekend, and Joan is realizing she’s stuck in a bad marriage with a not-so-bright future. All intriguing dilemmas, but Peggy stole the show by turning to her new friend Mary Jane. Another thought-provoking episode of the best show on TV.
2. “Rescue Me” (Tuesday, FX). The cliffhanger ending didn’t make much sense, but it was still pretty gripping. And I liked how Tommy burned his bridges with Janet and Sheila. Who knows if it’ll be successful (knowing Tommy, probably not), but those ties needed to be cut. Good finale to an inconsistent season.
3. “Being Human” (Saturday, BBC America). Speaking of inconsistent, this episode was all over the map. A little too melodramatic and the Big Problems were resolved a little too neatly, but I liked George’s secret plan to stop Harrick, and the closing scene made me gasp. Should be verrry interesting next season. I think George might be even more tormented and guilt-ridden.
Lowlights
1. Ashley’s return to “Entourage” (Sunday, HBO). Crap. I thought we were done with Gollum. She’s so incredibly unappealing in every way. Sure, Sloan was playing mind games that were getting really old, but E should have found some other outlet for his frustration. In other plotlines, what kinda of lame stalker leaves behind his driver’s license? And the guy’s picture looked like the redheaded dork from “American Pie.” On the bright side, that scene with Andrew walking across the office in bathrobe and slippers, like it was a spa, was hilarious. Nice meltdown by Marlo too – I haven’t heard such a profane rant from a TV wife since Suzie on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
2. Oregon-Boise State football (Friday, ESPN). God, what a terrible, boring game. Awful way to start the college football season, especially for Oregon, which embarrassed itself in every way on national television. To make matters worse, I turned it off in the fourth quarter and missed the most exciting part – that Oregon player’s sucker-punch to an opponent’s chin after the game.
3. No new “No Reservations” (Monday, Travel Channel). I hate clip shows. Especially when I’ve already seen the original shows already.
Looking forward to . . .
1. “Sons of Anarchy” (10 p.m. Tuesday, FX). I know I said I’d miss “Rescue Me,” but with “Sons of Anarchy” taking its place, I probably won’t miss it at all. This is such a good show. Can’t wait to see what happens now that Jax and Clay want to kill each other.
2. “Durham County” (10 p.m. Monday, Ion). I’ve never even heard of Ion, but this Canadian import looks like it might be interesting. It’s supposed to be a dark, moody murder mystery show about a cop who moves his family to a suburb with some disturbing secrets. The 6-episode series won a bunch of Gemini Awards (Canada’s version of an Emmy) last year. It’s worth a look.
3. “Melrose Place” (9 p.m. Tuesday, the CW). This, on the other hand, will be terrible. But come on, aren’t you curious to see just how bad it’ll be? I am. I can’t help myself, I have to give it a look.
