A look back at the best and worst of TV in the past week (Sept. 5-11), and a peek at what’s coming up.
Highlights
1. “Sons of Anarchy” (Tuesday, FX). The biker-gang drama kicked off its second season in fine form, with tension consistently simmering just beneath the surface. And for a guy wracked by his conscience, Opie sure showed he’s capable of some twisted violence. The final five minutes were just disturbing and devastating. Forget the Clay-Jax rift for the time being; it’s time for SAMCRO to come together, fight off the new threat from the white separatists (how great was Alan Arkin?) and, oh yeah, get some revenge. It’s gonna get bloody(-ier).
2. “Mad Men” (Sunday, ABC). The sight of little Sally behind the wheel was hilariously horrifying. It’s probably a good thing Grandpa Gene keeled over before he got one of the kids hurt. The episode’s overriding theme was the generational differences between parents and children, and wow, were there some rifts. Betty selfishly pouting when Gene wanted to talk about arrangements after he died; Don’s disapproval when Gene tried to give Bobby a dead soldier’s hat (hitting a little too close to home, Don?); Gene’s encouraging words to Sally, treating her like a grown-up when her own parents barely acknowledge her existence (Sally getting the front door closed on her after Betty got word of Gene’s death was bruuutal). And then there was Peggy wanting to move to Manhattan and her mother reacting, ah, badly. (“You’ll get raped, you know” aren’t quite the encouraging words you hope for.) Can’t forget Sterling-Cooper’s latest client, the dopey Ho-Ho, who’s sinking his fortune into jai alai (“the sport of the future!”) as his disapproving father lets him hang himself. Just great, great stuff. Capped off by maybe the best scene in the episode: Sal prancing around to the Ann-Margretesque commercial as it slowly dawns on his wife that he might be juuuust a teensy bit gay. Subtle and brilliant.
3. “Durham County” (Monday, Ion). Surprisingly gripping, the series premiere delved into dark, dark places and came out with some fantastic television. As far as shows about serial killers go, it’s not as gory as “Dexter,” but it manages to be twice as disturbing.
Lowlights
1. “Melrose Place” (Tuesday, The CW). Just terrible. I lasted a half hour before I had to turn it off, I could feel my brain cells dying. Somehow they managed to find characters even more annoying that Billy and Allison, along with a meathead who kept reminding me of Mike “The Miz” from “The Real World” and its “Real World vs. Road Rules” challenges. Every single character is stupid, and after about 15 minutes I was hoping they’d all get stabbed in the back just like Sydney.
2. “The Vampire Diaries” (Wednesday, The CW). I only lasted 15 minutes, but this drops to No. 2 because I had more time to build up hate for “Melrose.” This is an awful show. Awful acting, awful plot, awful special effects. It looks pretty though. But the teen melodrama is so “Dawson’s Creek” that I couldn’t take it at all seriously. It’s like a spoof that doesn’t realize it’s a spoof.
3. Steelers vs. Titans (Thursday, NBC). Boring. Defensive struggles are fine in December in the snow. In September, I want some high-scoring, touchdown-laden shootouts. (And since I’m a 49ers fan, I won’t get those watching my team.)
Looking forward to . . .
1. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (10 p.m. Thursday, FX). Sick, twisted and the funniest show on TV. In the fifth season premiere, the gang exploits the mortgage crisis and Dee tries to be a surrogate mother to a rich couple. Gasp-inducing hilarity ensues.
2. “The Office” (9 p.m. Thursday, NBC). There’s a new arrival on the way for Pam and Jim as the new season begins. Meanwhile, Michael is on the prowl for office gossip and Andy struggles with heterosexuality.
3. “Top Chef” (10 p.m. Wednesday, Bravo). I’m dying to know what dish is bad enough to make Padma gag and Tom chuck it.
Also: “Gossip Girl” season premiere (9 p.m. Monday, The CW) because it’s my guilty pleasure; “The Jay Leno Show” (10 p.m. Monday, NBC) just to see how much it sucks; “Community” (8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC) since it’s got the best buzz of any fall show; and I’m not into it anymore, but for those who are, “Survivor: Samoa” gets under way Thursday (8 p.m., CBS). Warm up your DVRs, it’s gonna be a busy week.
