Heroes: You know, I don't actually disagree with the argument that the show lacks heart, but I've found that I don't really care that it does. Sometimes, I do want to watch something just to see how the plot twists and turns. And honestly, if I gave everything the level of emotional investment in the characters that I give to Smallville, I'd be one exhausted TV viewer. *g* So I guess Heroes is my guilty pleasure. I don't feel guilty for liking it because its quality is so poor, but rather I enjoy it like one enjoys guilty pleasures: I don't ask much of it beyond "keep me engaged for an hour or so," and it does that for me. And I do like several of the characters, so I'll keep watching even though it doesn't always move me emotionally.
Bionic Woman: I'm going to give it two more episodes before I decide whether to drop or keep it. I do think Michelle Ryan is somewhat miscast because she's not particularly believable right now as a badass, but I also think there's room for her to grow into the part in a way that suits the story. IOW, Jamie has to come to terms with what's happened to her, so Ryan's ... greeness as an actor works for where the character is in the story right now.
The other reason I'm willing to give BW a chance is because from what I understand, the creative team recognized there were "issues" and there's been some course correction going on behind the scenes. But my time these days is very limited, so if it doesn't get more engaging in the next two weeks, I'm giving it the cut direct.
Journeyman: I redid my pedicure while it was on, so yeah, I'm with you on "could that have been any more boring?" The answer is "only if it actually -- instead of just figuratively -- put me to sleep." And I wanted to like it, because I loved Kevin McKidd on Rome and I really enjoyed Moon Bloodgood on Daylight. But it was a snooze-fest of the highest order.
Reaper: I think it has room to grow. I found the cast to be very appealing, but the writing wasn't as charming/engaging as the actors were. I don't know how much involvement Kevin Smith will have with it on a day-to-day basis, so I can't say how much of the 'Kevin Smith'-ness of the pilot is a function of the fact that he also directed it. I know what you mean about KS, though -- I'm not quite on wavelength that's necessary to really appreciate the slacker-chic humor/dynamic (like, I don't think Clerks is nearly as funny as a lot of other people do) and I can see where, if his influence on a weekly basis is as strong as it was in the pilot, the show could grow very thin for me very quickly. But Ray Wise is really a keeper as Satan and for him alone, I'm willing to give it a few more weeks to really win me over.
Chuck: ITA that the ridiculousness of this one is part of its charm. I'm not sure that tone/dynamic can be sustained for 22 hours, which is why I'm not letting myself get overly attached to it, but as shiny, happy, silly spy-candy, it's working for me right now. And I do enjoy Adam Baldwin as Casey. Give me a Cranky Misanthrope who's nevertheless trying to do what he believes is the right thing for the right reasons, and I'll go there with you, at least for a while.
Gossip Girl: This one didn't work for me, largely because there wasn't a single character that I liked or identified with or admired. I have to have at least one character with whom I can do at least one of those things for a show to grab me enough to watch it on a regular basis. So far, GG doesn't have one. But I agree that it was well-acted and it is beautifully filmed.
Pushing Daisies: I have heard nothing but good things about this and it's definitely the premiere I've most been anticipating. I'm looking forward to checking it out tomorrow night.
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Heroes: You know, I don't actually disagree with the argument that the show lacks heart, but I've found that I don't really care that it does. Sometimes, I do want to watch something just to see how the plot twists and turns. And honestly, if I gave everything the level of emotional investment in the characters that I give to Smallville, I'd be one exhausted TV viewer. *g* So I guess Heroes is my guilty pleasure. I don't feel guilty for liking it because its quality is so poor, but rather I enjoy it like one enjoys guilty pleasures: I don't ask much of it beyond "keep me engaged for an hour or so," and it does that for me. And I do like several of the characters, so I'll keep watching even though it doesn't always move me emotionally.
Bionic Woman: I'm going to give it two more episodes before I decide whether to drop or keep it. I do think Michelle Ryan is somewhat miscast because she's not particularly believable right now as a badass, but I also think there's room for her to grow into the part in a way that suits the story. IOW, Jamie has to come to terms with what's happened to her, so Ryan's ... greeness as an actor works for where the character is in the story right now.
The other reason I'm willing to give BW a chance is because from what I understand, the creative team recognized there were "issues" and there's been some course correction going on behind the scenes. But my time these days is very limited, so if it doesn't get more engaging in the next two weeks, I'm giving it the cut direct.
Journeyman: I redid my pedicure while it was on, so yeah, I'm with you on "could that have been any more boring?" The answer is "only if it actually -- instead of just figuratively -- put me to sleep." And I wanted to like it, because I loved Kevin McKidd on Rome and I really enjoyed Moon Bloodgood on Daylight. But it was a snooze-fest of the highest order.
Reaper: I think it has room to grow. I found the cast to be very appealing, but the writing wasn't as charming/engaging as the actors were. I don't know how much involvement Kevin Smith will have with it on a day-to-day basis, so I can't say how much of the 'Kevin Smith'-ness of the pilot is a function of the fact that he also directed it. I know what you mean about KS, though -- I'm not quite on wavelength that's necessary to really appreciate the slacker-chic humor/dynamic (like, I don't think Clerks is nearly as funny as a lot of other people do) and I can see where, if his influence on a weekly basis is as strong as it was in the pilot, the show could grow very thin for me very quickly. But Ray Wise is really a keeper as Satan and for him alone, I'm willing to give it a few more weeks to really win me over.
Chuck: ITA that the ridiculousness of this one is part of its charm. I'm not sure that tone/dynamic can be sustained for 22 hours, which is why I'm not letting myself get overly attached to it, but as shiny, happy, silly spy-candy, it's working for me right now. And I do enjoy Adam Baldwin as Casey. Give me a Cranky Misanthrope who's nevertheless trying to do what he believes is the right thing for the right reasons, and I'll go there with you, at least for a while.
Gossip Girl: This one didn't work for me, largely because there wasn't a single character that I liked or identified with or admired. I have to have at least one character with whom I can do at least one of those things for a show to grab me enough to watch it on a regular basis. So far, GG doesn't have one. But I agree that it was well-acted and it is beautifully filmed.
Pushing Daisies: I have heard nothing but good things about this and it's definitely the premiere I've most been anticipating. I'm looking forward to checking it out tomorrow night.