Smallville "Doomsday" Play-by-Play: TiVO Style

So since there was a huge wait on the TV Room today due to an inordinate amount of finales (Bones, Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock, The Office), I had to wait until four hours later to start watching the season finale of Smallville. I have managed to avoid all discussion of what has happened, so I am full of anxiety and dread and have NO IDEA what's going to happen. Watch as my faith in the show is either restored or smashed to pieces! It's going to be a trainwreck, people! TRAINWRECK.

Deep breath, people. Deeeeeeeeeeeeep breath.

10:55 Preview! Remember all that crap that happened to Chloe? IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Apparently Lois had a storyline? Nice try, preview. I care far more about Tess' awesome curly hair and her glowing disco ball of evil!

10:57 Flying? Who is flying? Rokk! Rokk may be a dipshit, but he's superhot. Also, they arranged a meeting? Really? It's time travel, people. What, did Rokk call him from his inter-time-space Verizon phone? Also, Rokk, you just realized that traveling to the past changes time? Dumbass.

10:59 You'ze gonna die, Clark!

11:00 Why so cute Davis and Chloe? Also, LOVE Greek mythology! Davis, I want to marry you!

11:01 Tess, you're so fucking fierce. Oh noes! No more disco ball! Don't mess with Tess, JLA. She'll wreck your shit.

11:02 Nice ring box, Clark. There's room for a matching bracelet in there.

11:03 Lois is aware of a plot point? What?! Also, SAD letter to the world! Oh, Clark! I feel for you for the first time, like, all season!

11:04 Really, Lois? You didn't notice that Clark left and you suddenly got a phone call? Dumbass. And Clark, stop saying things that make us think you're stalking Lois.

11:05 I'm glad Lois cares about Chloe. I did always love ChloLo. Lois, especially when she cares about Chloe, shows herself to be a legitimate person.

11:06 I feel like this scene is getting a litle too melodramatic for the beginning of the episode. We have too much angst left, people! Pace it!

11:07 A meeting at a phone booth? *headpalm* Too much like the failed coffee date that didn't happen. Does this mean they won't meet? PLEASE?

11:08 Does Hitched or Ditched seem like the best worst show idea EVER to anyone else? LOVE the CW.

11:08 BART!!!! Oh, and Dinah. But BART!!!

11:09 Clark, stop playing your cards too soon! See, because then Oliver comes in and screws with your plans.

11:10 YES! Clark! Verbally bitch slap Ollie!

11:11 Bart: "You guys have some, uh, serious [sexual] tension going on here." LexisOliverPlz?

11:12 Clark, I don't know if you can kick Oliver out of the League. I mena, he's the founder. And is the one with the money. And I'm pretty sure Dinah is screwing him on the side.

11:13 Jimmy is being a superspy in a believable way! OMG! Jimmy/Lois! I love their scenes! SO FUNNY! Smash Lois under that table, Jimmy! Smash her to tiny, iconic bits!

11:14 Jimmy! Don't go alone!

11:15 Regan? Regan! I LOVE YOU! Almost more than Tess. Almost.

11:16 Stabbed in the back! Or, uh, Arrowed in the back! Is it bad that my unholy love of Bart makes this turning on Clark kinda totally okay?

11:17 "The bar has always been a little bit lower for you, hasn't it?" Tess, why so awesome? Put Lois in her place! Kick her ass!

11:18 Legion ring! Crap. Lois to the future.

11:19 I love how Bart is trying to be super-sensitive. He loves Chloe! (Like everyone should.)

11:20 I love when Davis is self-sacrificing. Just highlights how freaking awesome he is.

11:21 Black Kryptonite what up! I love how Chloe is helping fulfill Clark's plan. Even apart, they're on the same team.

11:22 Jimmy's figuring out Kryptonite. He's finding out the secret. He's totally dead. But I love how he is actually so smart. Like, he figured it out in "Identity" and he isn't willing to shove it under the rug. And he was the only one to put it all together, other than Doctor "I'm badass with mah car" Emil Hamilton.

11:23 Why are you killing off Jimmy?! He's so awesome as Clark's little BFF. Also, what gift? Explain, show!

11:24 I wanted tears, dammit! You're seeing Chloe for the first time in forever! TEARS!

11:25 Crap. Lois was totally in the path of Doomsday's destruction. Stupid Legion ring! She could have DIED! *sob*

11:26 Ew...mouth blood.

11:27 Was that...it? Seriously? THAT WAS YOUR FIGHT WITH DOOMSDAY? It lasted, like, three minutes!

11:28 No! Don't get Chimmy back together! I totally acknowledge that Jimmy is full of awesome now, but nooooooooooo! "Watch over you"? No, JIMMY! I know it's going to become Watchtower, but I *sobs* I can't believe how much I'm actually going to miss you! You're so not a douchebag! And you know how Chloe is awesome! So awesome!

11:29 NO! CHIMMY KISS?! WHY?!

11:30 NO! Davis! I like how Davis is like, "This was all for Clark?" Not, "Why the hell are you making out with your drug addict ex-husband?!"

11:31 Wow. Killing both Doomsday and Davis took, like, two seconds. COP OUT.

11:32 NO! JIMMY! God, I actually care! I actually care! You had so much potential! Stop making Chloe cry! She has NO ONE now! NO ONE!

11:33 Film negatives! God! WHY DID YOU KILL HIM?! Dipshit writers!

11:34 Dinah exchanges a look with Ollie... (What? I can ship, even at a funeral.)

11:35 No! Jimmy has a little brother? And was that his alcoholic dad? He looks really put-together. And you just can't make his younger brother ICONIC Jimmy Olsen. I mean, what kind of dumbass parents would name both their kids James? ASSHATS. Otherwise, he'd have to CHANGE HIS NAME.

11:36 Love Chloe and Dinah friends.

11:37 Clark's alive? COP OUT. Ooh, love the exchange over the grave. Very Lexian over Lionel.

11:38 Chlark hug! Hug her until the pain goes away, Clark! HUG HER!

11:39 She has lost everyone! Clark, even you!

11:40 Chloe is sounding a little crazy. Also, the whole Jimmy thing totally means that Chloe could never leave Watchtower. Dammit.

11:41 Seriously, Clark? Get over yourself. "I'm human, blah blah blah, I suck." Shut up.

11:41 "Clark Kent" was your metaphorical death? BULLSHIT. Also, how the hell could you leave Chloe? You fucking Dipshit!

11:42 I also don't like the way Chloe's grabbing at her belly...

11:42 So much love for you, Tess, and your amazing robe.

11:43 ZOD! HELL YEAH! I would have liked some lingering SWbeard eye candy to go along with it, but whatever.

Initial Reaction Before I Smash Something and Then Study for My Midterm

• RIP Jimmy. Who would have ever thought that you would end up too good for this show?
• GOD I'M SO ANGRY.
• Also, wasn't it convenient that Lois disappeared instead of the writers actually having to try putting her into a relevant plotline?
• Seriously, Clark. You just acknowledged that Chloe has NO ONE. Absentee dad, insane mom, dead ex-husband, dead ex-serial killer love interest, missing cousin, and now her BFF decides to be a FUCKING DUMBASS and leave her ALL ALONE. DIP FREAKING SHIT.
• Davis?! Why so evil?!
• Tess, there is no way to explain how much I love you.
• BART!!!
• Lex in Ollie Suit! Make it happen!
  
• CHLOE!!! Why do the writers hate you so much?! WHY?!
• Already over Watchtower. How is that going to be any different than Isis, especially without the JLA?
  
• *SOB* JIMMY OLSEN!
• So, you were saving your budget for those three-second fights, eh? Reeeeeeeeeeeally impressive, TPTB.
  

I can't believe I have to STUDY after this. Why are my fandoms wonking out on me?!

Star Trek (2009)

I spent a lot of the movie waiting for them to make-out. No lie. :)

SPOILERS!

So it was a kick-ass movie. Great action sequences, great character moments (Sulu and his extendable fencing sword? LOVED IT.), great pacing. But then the moment you stop being in awe of the effects and the sheer great story-telling of the movie, you stop to think about IMPLICATIONS.

Without Vulcan, what does that mean? I realize a lot of fans are super-excited about this development (Freedom to do whatever! No one's safe! It's a series of alternate-reality movies!), I can't come to grips with it. I don't think you can make a movie this explosive and relegate it to an "alternate universe." At the same time, accepting this into canon is dangerous. No Amanda scenes in TOS or the movies. No scenes on Vulcan EVER, and even if there are scenes, it's not the same Vulcan. Who has died? All of those humans, Vulcans, and Klingons massacred. (Tuvok?!) Which characters that we love from the 24th century won't even be born?

And don't tell me they're going to repopulate Vulcan. These people reproduce once every seven years. With 10,000 people to start? I'm not good at math, but your rate of reproduction is CRAP.

I like the idea of an exciting, new Trek. The new-and-improved Battlestar was awesome. I'm a Chloiser on Smallville (Chloe = Lois Lane). I realize a lot can be gained by Spock being one of the last survivors of his race, especially as a mixed-breed who is more willing to accept his human side. But I feel that you can't play loose and fast with a canon that spans five TV shows and ten movies. I would have accepted George Kirk and Kelvin. Even Spock/Uhura had elements that captivated me (although it was poorly explained and relegated Uhura to a sex object more than I liked).

But destorying Vulcan leaves the entire 24th century in peril. And, unfortunately, I doubt we'll get a canon verification of what the hell is going on in the 24th century any time soon as they make new Star Trek: 90210 in the Abramsverse and let the adventures of Picard, Sisko, and Janeway fall into DVD obscurity. I need an official announcement that there will be a reset of this movie, that this movie is an alternate universe, or that the 24th century was (surprising) unscathed. Until then, I can't help but see a screwed-up 24th century where Picard is never born and the Enterprise D is being run by Wesley Crusher and Tuvok NEVER EXISTED and Janeway is out one best friend and possibly never went into the Badlands after the Maquis because he wasn't an undercover agent! (I love Tuvok. Could you tell?)

Also, if Romulus is destroyed in the future (will it be, now that the supernova is known about?), is the Alpha Quadrant at peace? The Klingons are allies, the Romulans destroyed, the Borg impotent, the Dominon gone...WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!

And where the hell are the time police from the 29th century? They need to get on their shit.

(Side Note: Did anyone want this movie to finally resolve Enterprise's temporal cold war? Yeah, me too. :( )

So the movie was great. Killing red shirts, Kobayashi Maru, Scotty giving it all he's got. Really pretty. But I can't stop having FEELINGS about the IMPLICATIONS.

I need a drink.

Dollhouse Fan Fiction: Conditions

TITLE: Conditions
AUTHOR: Pilla Jeffrey
CATEGORY: Angst, Drama, Episode Tag
PAIRING: Paul/November
SPOILERS: Everything up to and especially “Omega”
RATING: PG
CONTENT WARNINGS: super!angst
SUMMARY: Paul Ballard has some conditions in regards to his employment at the Dollhouse. "Omega" Episode Tag. Paul/November.
STATUS: Complete
ARCHIVE: anywhere else, ask.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Dollhouse.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I actually am not that big of a Paul/November shipper, but I was completely teary at the end of “Omega.” Their love is so tragic that I couldn’t help but spin it into fan fic. I feel like Paul’s release of November is so complicated: he’s trying to cleanse himself of using her, avoiding seeing her at work, figuring out if his belief in the remaining soul could extend to their relationship. It was such a touching scene. Just beautifully done.

Waa-Mu 2009: A Dedication

So I haven't updated in forever because I'm a terrible person.

Or it could be because I have two majors, a minor, and was up until a few hours ago assistant stage managing the best college show in the United States.

I'm figuring that most people don't know what Waa-Mu is. Basically, it's this huge student-written musical revue that Northwestern University actually puts up on in their largest theatre on campus (which is unheard of outside of here). It's this really big thing that gets a lot of crap for being all glitter, all sparkles, all jazz hands, but every year it is hands-down the most rewarding show I work on.

I can't say that much about it without getting trite, but I just wanted to give it a shout-out. It's one of the reasons I love going to Northwestern and why I wouldn't trade it in for anything in the world.

There's nothing up online from this year's show (I'll link it once it's up), but here are some treats from last year's endeavor, Skylines:

Winds of Change:



Chicago Cubs

The Shipping News: Nate and Vanessa

Oh, show. Why are you equally amazing and frustrating?

I agree that the plot of the "The Grandfather" was mostly flawed (really, Serena? you haven’t talked to Dan in a week? Don’t you have school with him? Why is Dan even hanging out with Nate and Vanessa? And Chuck, remember when you used to try to rape people and now you’re too in love to have Blair “that way”? PLEASE.), but I have to say that everything V said and did (minus the “I guess we’re broken up”—jeez, the people on this show need to actually BREAK UP, not suggest it through ambiguous stares) made sense.

Vanessa was actually an incredibly supportive girlfriend in this episode. Unlike Dan and Serena who are constantly ripped apart by class issues, Vanessa is able to take it in stride. She wants Nate to be happy. That means encouraging him to be with his family instead of her on their pierogi date, or, heck, convincing him to forgive his grandfather in the first place. At the beginning of the episode, she reminds Nate how important his family is to him. It’s a small but very clear glimpse into Nate and Vanessa’s relationship, especially compared to his with Blair: Nate feels comfortable opening up to Vanessa in a way that we don’t see with any other character, except perhaps Chuck. (But not really because when was the last time we had a Chuck/Nate scene?)

And when it comes to the internship, obviously she has selfish motives when it comes to her not wanting him to take it. But she’s also afraid that he’ll become something he’s not. In an episode about reminiscencing about what should have been, Vanessa is trying to tell him that he can pick his own path. With Nate and Vanessa, it’s all about opening the road that the other person wouldn’t travel in order to make him/her consider his/her options: Nate convinces V to take the SATs even though her family doesn’t go to college and V convinces Nate that there are more things in life than becoming a Vanderbilt. I truly believe that if Vanessa felt that Nate really wanted the internship (let’s face it: Nate did a pretty piss-poor job of convincing her by NOT TELLING HER), she would support him whole-heartedly.

The show has established that Nate and Vanessa are able to work through their issues if they get enough time and distance; also, if Nate picked Vanessa over Duchess Cougar and Raccoon-Eyed Jenny, I’ve gotta think that what he feels for her is incredibly strong. If the show wasn’t so keen on pushing Blair/Nate for the extra drama, I would have no doubt that after this episode, Vanessa would go to Nate and apologize for the way she acted, the same way she did in the previous episode. She’s passionate and she says the wrong thing sometimes without thinking, but unlike Dan, she knows when she did something wrong.

I mean, let’s be frank. Vanessa and Nate are the most functional couple the show has shown us. No secret children (Rufus/Lily), cheating (Everyone), or chastising (Dan/Serena). They have the SEX! the show requires (the only good part of the secret society storyline was Nate and Vanessa’s later role play), but also the heart and the common sense. (Ignore the Jenny stuff, which was ridiculous from the start.) All Nate wants is to be loved, and Vanessa gives that to him with a proper amount of sass, which Nate gives back in return. She’s a thinking girlfriend who knows what she wants from the relationship and thinks about what’s best for herself AND Nate (how novel, compared to Nate’s other conquests). She doesn’t want Nathaniel Archibald, Vanderbilt but Nate Archibald, ESPN lover. And Nate doesn’t need a society girl for a good wife or an activist to show his political interests. All he needs is someone willing to listen to him and help him out through quite frankenly some of the crappiest crap that any of the characters have to deal with, the majority of which is not his fault. Vanessa gives good Nate a kind ear and, when needed, a supportive intervention.

What frustrates me is that the entirety of Gossip Girl shows that the showrunners do not think ahead when they plot the show. I feel that a lot of this Chuck/Blair/Nate/Vanessa drama would have been so much better with the appropriate build (uh, maybe by dropping that horrible secret society storyline that Chuck had?). Le sigh.

TO CONCLUDE. Nate/Vanessa = <3. Showrunners = Suck. Hopefully, Nate and Vanessa will get back together at some point. Otherwise, we’re pretty much assured Dan/Vanessa and then I truly won’t care if we ever go to Brooklyn.

(P.S. Fic Rec: This Won’t Be a Sad Song, the best Nate/Vanessa fic I have read thus far.)

Ode to...Dean Winters

Oh, Dean Winters. How are you so equally amazing at comedy and drama? Why did you make me laugh out loud one day and then the next clutch my heart in such despair?

For those of you who are unfamiliar (or think you're unfamiliar) with Dean's charms, he is currently recurring on 30 Rock as Dennis "The Beeper King" and *weep* formerly recurring on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as Charley. Admittedly, he went through an awkward phase when he was on the first season of Law and Order: SVU and slept with Olivia, but now he is freaking fabulous.

I admit, I'm obviously late to the game on Dean Winters love after his stints on Oz (maybe one day my combined love of Dean Winters and Christopher Meloni will result in me watching it, but after my rude awakening with Queer as Folk, I doubt it) and Rescue Me (FX is the one network whose shows I never seem to be able to get into), but after tonight's Sarah Connor--which was devastating, btw--he has my heart.

Oh, why must everyone John Connor loves leave him? And by leave him, I mean die?

Merlin Drabble: Morgana's Vision

After years of nightmares, Morgana awoke aglow. She could still see the smile in Arthur’s eyes, the crown on her dark curls. Although she never saw her face, she could feel the love between the two. She saw the future and it was good. So when her powers grew too strong to hide from Uther, she accepted Merlin’s offer to take her away to the Druids. She knew fate would bring her back to Camelot and Arthur. The first night away, she dreamed the same dream. But when her head turned to kiss Arthur, it wasn’t her.

It was Gwen.

FML.

My computer has a virus.

I have two eight-page papers to write for my finals this week.

FML.

(This also means my updating will most likely not be daily, or if it is, not of its usual quality.)

Spoiler Snark: Smallville's Upcoming Deaths

Okay lovers. Let's talk Smallville. (I know, I know, we're usually talking Smallville so it isn't that much different than normal.)

From our BFF, Ausiello:

Multiple sources confirm to me exclusively that two pivotal characters will bite the dust in this May's season finale. And in a bit of a departure for Smallville, both deaths will stick. "These characters will die and they will stay dead," maintains my insider. "This is the real deal."

Of course, that's not to say producers aren't planning a twist or two, because they are. But I'm told those twists do not involve bringing either character back to life.

If you're looking for another clue, you're out of luck. I'm not even going to do one of those morbid charts where I assess each character's chances for survival. I wouldn't want to do anything beyond writing this spoilery story to ruin the surprises in store.

Eh, one more little tease won't hurt anyone: One character qualifies as a Smallville vet... the other one, not so much.

So we pretty much know the non-vet death is Doomsday. I don't see how killing off Tess would be beneficial to the storyline, especially because she's the only thing connecting us to the Luthor legacy at this point, however tenuous and frayed that thread is. And no matter how much I love Sam Witwer, I can't see prolonging Doomsday at this point because you can't have a "SMASHSMASHSMASH" villian for an entire season without it being confusing as to why they aren't "SMASHSMASHSMASH"-ing the whole time (see: Buffy and Glory). So the first death is definitely Doomsday. Will Sam come back as Zod as some people are hoping? Sure. I'd love that. But Doomsday is definitely going to die in the finale.

That takes us to the second death: a veteran on the show. Since it can't be Clark, it leaves us with Chloe Sullivan, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Oliver Queen.

The only character that I'm positive will not die is Jimmy. Please. He's actually iconic and has a purpose on the show, even if that has been clouded by douche-baggery. I actually think Season 9 will be Jimmy's best season since 6, finally giving him a chance to just be an earnest photographer and not a haphazard love interest.

I'm hoping the death is Oliver. First and foremost, Justin Hartley is too good for this show. Secondly, if your set is a plane, obviously there are some issues including your plotlines. Thirdly, the Green Arrow actually does die (for an amount of time) in the comics, so it'd fit with the DC continuity the writers claim to sample from (however loosely in reality).

But, of course, in a fandom where there can only be one true love for Clark Kent and we have two women remaining, the key characters everyone is focusing on are Chloe and Lois. It's pretty much been decided that the season finale will decide for once and for all who Clark's soulmate is. Either Chloe dies and Lois is the last girl standing (as her ICONIC! name implies), or Lois dies and the executive producers actually had the balls to pull off Chlois and give Chloe her reward for seasons of crap.

There are arguments in favor of both. Lois has the name, the attitude, and the lightswitch!crushing on her side. Chloe has the spirit, friendship, and undying love on hers. I'm not going to discuss the ins and outs of each. Both have points and in the end, it comes down to if we can trust TPTB to do something extraordinary. Something unexpected. Something that will change the way people view Superman forever. (I mean, wasn't that the point of Smallville in the first place?)

I don't think we can trust them to do that. All we can trust them to do is shove ICONIC!CLOIS down our throats and crappy characterization down Chloe's. Which is what is scaring me so much. I know I get too invested in my television shows. But I don't know if I could recover from Chloe's death. I'm used to my ships not getting together, but when it's a forcible ripping apart (a la Sheppard and Weir), it's insanely upsetting. And with Smallville, I'm the most invested I've ever been. Chloe's death will devastate me or numb me completely or make me hate the whole show, which I've never really been able to do, even with the crappy writing. I feel like TPTB are stealing my ability to believe in earning what you get and that true love is being a support system, not cleavage and innuendo.

But maybe they're just releasing these spoilers to stir up a war in the fandom and in the end Oliver will die. Let's hope so.

Also, I'm going on Spring Break soon, so I'm bringing back Smallville recaps, starting with "Infamous" and working backwards. And may I say that "Infamous" didn't suck? In fact, it was actually enjoyable, if terribly paced.

Plans for My Wedding, Whenever that May Be

I feel if I can convince my husband to have "his and hers TiVo cakes" I've met my soulmate.

Twitter?

I have it.

http://twitter.com/tvconnoisseur

Yeah. I succumbed to yet another social network.

Shippy Moment of the Day: "Because I'm in Love with Monica!" (Friends)

Chandler Tells the Group that He's in Love with Monica
"The One Where Everyone Finds Out" from Friends Season 5

Recap: Chandler and Monica have been hiding their relationship from everyone else (except Joey) for the past half of the season. Finally, Phoebe and Rachel find out after catching them in the act and decide to pressure Chandler and Monica into revealing themselves. These leads to an awkward encounter where Chandler and Phoebe pretend to be into each other in order to either throw the other off the trail or force the other to confess respectively.

The Moment:

So hopeful.

Chandler: Oh, you're--you're going?

I absolutely love Phoebe's bra. How sexy is that?

Phoebe: Umm, not without you, lover. So, this is my bra.

Most awkwardly overt checking out ever.

Chandler: It's very, very nice. Well, come here. I'm very happy we're going to be having all the sex.
Phoebe: You should be. I'm very bendy. I'm going to kiss you now.
Chandler: Not if I kiss you first.

Middle school dance initiated by Chandler.

ESCALATION by Phoebe!

Chandler goes for the boob, but decides on the shoulder instead.

Phoebe: Ooh.
Chandler: Well, I guess there's nothing left for us to do but--but kiss.
Phoebe: Here it comes. Our first kiss.

So awkward and SOOOO funny!

But he can't go through with it. I mean, who
actually believed that he'd beat out Phoebe?

Chandler: Okay! Okay! Okay! You win! You win! I can't have sex with you!
Phoebe: And why not?

Confession! FULL confession!

Chandler: Because I'm in love with Monica!

And Phoebe, like the audience, is completely taken by surprise
by Chandler's declaration. He'd previously told Monica he was
in love with her (accidentally), but to tell the whole
group is another thing entirely.

Phoebe: You're--you're what?!
Chandler: Love her! That's right! I. Love. Her. I love her! I love you, Monica.
Monica: I love you, too, Chandler.

HOT! I'd catcall if I were in the audience.

Phoebe: I just--I thought you guys were doing it! I didn't know you were in love!
Joey: Dude!

CUTE! Best couple on Friends!

Chandler: And hats off to Phoebe. Quite a competitor. And might I say your breasts are still showing.
Phoebe: God!

Oops.

Thoughts: Screw Ross and Rachel. Monica and Chandler are SO the OTP of Friends. Their secret relationship is possibly one of the greatest storylines of the show and this episode in particular is one of the crown jewels of the series. It's absolutely hilarious to watch Phoebe and Chandler fake-flirt (and know that the other one is just fake-flirting back), and to top it all off, we get to have a truly happy, out-in-the-open Monica and Chandler. Just a great episode that highlights the cast's comedic talents and the show's heart.

Shippy Moment of the Day: "I Read the Entire Bible Cover to Cover" (Gilmore Girls)

Dave Reads the Bible in One Night for Lane
"Say Goodnight, Gracie" from Gilmore Girls Season 3

Recap: Dave asks Mrs. Kim for permission to take Lane to prom. She responds with "Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass, but still remember what the Lord hath done." Dave decides to look it up in the Bible to find out if it's a yes or a no.

The Moment:




Dave: I stayed up all night. I read the entire Bible cover to cover. I don't know what it means.

Poor Dave. He's so tired and frazzled, but still so cute!

Mrs. Kim: David.
Dave: You have to tell me what it means. Is it a yes, is it a no? I can't feel my right elbow anymore. I don't know why, but I can't.
Mrs. Kim: David.
Dave: Please, just tell me. I'm so tired.

And we get the unexpected twist...

Mrs. Kim: It's not from the Bible.
Dave: What?
Mrs. Kim: It's Shakespeare. Henry VI. I like to goof off now and then too, you know.

He just can't believe it. *glomps Adam Brody*

Dave: Shakespeare.
Mrs. Kim: That is a very difficult thing to do, reading the Bible in one night. I myself have only done it three times. You need great determination and excellent light. I'm very impressed. All right.
Dave: All right what?
Mrs. Kim: You can go to the prom, but you cannot get married.
Dave: That seems fair to me.

I love how Lane has been in the stairwell the entire time.

Lane: And me! The person who is going upstairs to think about what she's done!

Mrs. Kim: Lane is grounded until prom and for two months after. You may call her on the phone every other day for ten minutes and that is all. Understand?
Dave: Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Mrs. Kim.

YAYAYAYAY!

Mrs. Kim: Lane!
Lane: Thinking about what I've done!


Thoughts: I love Dave/Lane because he's a Ted Mosby: he makes huge gestures in order to win a girl (in this case, the girl's mother) over. Their relationship arc is basically showing how Dave is the ultimate guy because he is relentless in getting on Lane's mom's good side. This scene and this episode is so good for Dave and Lane because he finally wins Mrs. Kim over completely. Unfortunately, Adam Brody got a job on The O.C. immediately after this season of Gilmore Girls so the writers were forced to break up the perfect, most adorable couple ever inexplicably without Adam ever coming onscreen to do it properly.

Of course, this episode also has Dean telling Rory about his engagement, so it's not all good. But the Dave/Lane prom subplot makes it worth it.

Canceled, But Not Forgotten: Popular

Popular



This was the first show where cancellation shook me to my core. I was obsessed with this show for the two seasons it was on The WB.

A synopsis: Sam is a journalist outsider whose enemy of choice is Brooke, the popular cheerleader. Their competing factions in their high school lead to dramarama...which is only heightened when Sam and Brooke's mom and dad, respectively, get engaged.

Which, when you read it, is a fairly standard plot. But what was great about Popular was that it was a completely ridiculous satire/comedy.

Seriously. Will we ever again see a Staying Alive John Travolta Club presidential election dance-off? A mullet movement? Mary Cherry? But, especially, will we see these glorious comedic bits tied into really relevant issues of family? I spent half the time watching this show laughing and half the time crying, man. It was great.

It remains to this day to have the best It's a Wonderful Life episode of any show I've ever watched. Harrison, dying of cancer, sees what the world would be like if he weren't born. Essentially, the world ends.

Start here:



But the most infuriating thing about its cancellation was, as with most cancellations, the cliff-hanger. Harrison (played by my lover, Christopher Gorham) was forced to choose between life-long crush Brooke and best friend (and maybe something more) Sam. Without finding out who he chose, we see Brooke storming out of the restaurant only to be hit by Nicole, her psycho-bitch former bestie who was drinking and driving after having an unsettling encounter with her mother.

Thankfully, the most of the cast moved on to bigger (although possibly not arguably better) things. Christopher Gorham, Leslie Bibb, and Sara Rue all managed to breakthrough the mess and come out successful. Even Tammy Lynn Michaels married Melissa Etheridge. Plus, as with all these wonderful WB shows, there are great cameos by soon-to-be-hit actors: Wentworth Miller as a cheerleader wannabe, Anthony Montgomery (truly splendid before Enterprise took away any purpose) as Sam's boyfriend!

Perhaps the only thing that bums we out is that the creator said that the ending was going to be Harrison/Brooke (LAME!) instead of Harrison/Sam had it not been canceled. But whatever. The two seasons it was on still stand as a testament to a truly unique piece of TV that you really wouldn't be able to find now on regular broadcast. It was quirky and fun and moving.

Shippy Moment of the Day: "I Seriously Only Have Two Minutes" (How I Met Your Mother)

Ted and Stella's First Date
"Ten Sessions" from How I Met Your Mother Season 3

Recap: Ted falls for his dermatologist, Stella, and has the ten sessions it takes to get rid of his tramp stamp butterfly tattoo to woo her. When he's unsuccessful, he finds out that she likes him but doesn't want to date him because she has a daughter and no time. Ted thusly takes her on the perfect two-minute date.

The Moment:



Ted: And...go. Taxi!
Stella: Yeah, but I seriously only have two minutes...
Ted: I know!
Stella: That's like 120 seconds!

Ranjit! I love Ranjit!

Ted: 380 West 22nd, please. And step on it, we're in a hurry.
Stella: 380 West 22nd street? But that's--
Ted: Right this way.
Stella: Thank you, sir.
Ted: You know, I've always wanted to try this place.

Waitress: House salad.
Ted: So, college?
Stella: Stanford
Ted: Wesleyan.
Stella: Oh my God, do you know Adam LeVar?
Ted: No. Scott Crambel?
Stella: Nmm hmm.
Waitress: Eggplant Parmesan.
Ted: Thanks.
Stella: Oh, already cut up. Nice.
Ted: Could I get the check please? We're trying to make a movie in 15 seconds.
Waitress: Of course.
Ted: Okay, great. How do you want to do this. You had the eggplant parm, I only really had water...I'm kidding. Let's go. Taxi! You nervous?
Stella: A little bit.
Ted: You can't tell at all.
Stella: Oh, good.
Ted: Yeah.
Ranjit: Hello!

I love how through this entire sequence they're holding hands.
It leads to cute moments like this where he essentially twirls
her in the taxi. Adorable.

Ted: 384 West 22nd.
Stella: 15 seconds, the movie's started.
Ted: Previews. We'll be fine. Ah, just in time. It hasn't started yet.
Stella: So what are we seeing?
Ted: Manos: Hands of Fate.
Stella: The whole thing?
Ted: Only the important parts.

I love her amused/incredulous look here.
He's already won her over.

Ted: Worst movie ever.
Stella: Yeah, I almost walked out like five times.
Ted: How are we doing on time? Taxi!
Stella: We got a little time.
Ted: Okay, you want to walk it?
Stella: Why not?
Ranjit: Hello! Goodbye!


Ted: So, what grade's your daughter in?
Stella: Third grade.
Ted: Ah, that's a good year.
Stella: Yeah, she's wonderful. I just wish I could get her to quit smoking, you know?
Ted: What?
Stella: I'm kidding.
Ted: Oh. Little coffee and dessert?

My question is, where is the food coming from? They're in front
of a gyros restaurant. And not to stereotype typical Greek fare,
but I don't think it usually consists of eggplant parmesan.

Stella: You know, this neighborhood just keeps on changing. This used to be a cute little Italian restaurant.
Ted: I know. New York. It's a living organism, an ever-changing tapestry. Ooh, look at the time! Let's go.
Stella: The cheesecake's amazing.
Ted: Flowers?

I love how Ted planted the flowers and, upon finding out
she's allergic, had no problem just holding them. Ted is secure in
most ways and it's always refreshing.

Stella: I'm allergic.
Ted: Okay, see, we're getting to know each other! Stella, I had a lovely--doggie bag. Stella, I had a lovely time.

FAVORITE PART. During the entire scene, I was like,
Ted, cute date, but she's not getting a chance to eat anything. And then
the doggie bag! Perfect date.

Stella: Me, too, Ted.

And two minutes and nineteen seconds later...

Ted: And...date!

Thoughts: Oh, How I Met Your Mother. One of the most consistently funny and endearing shows on television. Sure, there's Barney's hilarious womanizing and Lily and Marshall's adventures in coupledom, but Ted is the heart of the show. He's a bundle of energy and creativity and earnestness. It's about how in his search for a wife and soul mate, he grows into a better person. It's a vehicle to show his heart and how it teaches him to be more mature.

This moment is possibly the cutest thing Ted has done on the show, minus the blue french horn and orchestra. It's the perfect date boiled down into two minutes. Stella needs to be shown that he can put her and her daughter first and he proves that with flying colors. He is able to show her the ultimate romantic gesture by not only being ridiculously charming but by being practical. In the end, he and Stella have instant chemistry and, most importantly, it's completely different than the chemistry he had with Robin.

I admit that at the time, I wanted Stella to be the mother. I felt that it was the most mature relationship Ted had been in and that he fully learned how to compromise. I understand why it didn't work and I respect the writers for their decision. I'm just afraid we'll never get an actress as great as Sarah Chalke or a character that brings out the good in Ted like Stella did.

Ted and Stella's First Date
"Ten Sessions" from How I Met Your Mother Season 3

Recap: Ted falls for his dermatologist, Stella, and has the ten sessions it takes to get rid of his tramp stamp butterfly tattoo to woo her. When he's unsuccessful, he finds out that she likes him but doesn't want to date him because she has a daughter and no time. Ted thusly takes her on the perfect two-minute date.

The Moment:



Ted: And...go. Taxi!
Stella: Yeah, but I seriously only have 2 minutes...
Ted: I know!
Stella: That's like 120 seconds!

Ranjit! I love Ranjit! One of the best recurring
characters of all time, man.

Ted: 380 West 22nd, please. And step on it, we're in a hurry.
Stella: 380 West 22nd street? But that's--
Ted: Right this way.
Stella: Thank you, sir.
Ted: You know, I've always wanted to try this place.

Waitress: House salad.
Ted: So, college?
Stella: Stanford
Ted: Wesleyan.
Stella: Oh my God, do you know Adam LeVar?
Ted: No. Scott Crambel?
Stella: Nmm hmm.
Waitress: Eggplant Parmesan.
Ted: Thanks.
Stella: Oh, already cut up. Nice.
Ted: Could I get the check please? We're trying to make a movie in 15 seconds.
Waitress: Of course.
Ted: Okay, great. How do you want to do this. You had the eggplant parm, I only really had water...I'm kidding. Let's go. Taxi! You nervous?
Stella: A little bit.
Ted: You can't tell at all.
Stella: Oh, good.
Ted: Yeah.
Ranjit: Hello!

I love how during this entire scene they're holding hands.
Which leads to delightful moments like this when
he practically twirls her into the taxi.

Ted: 384 West 22nd.
Stella: 15 seconds, the movie's started.
Ted: Previews. We'll be fine. Ah, just in time. It hasn't started yet.
Stella: So what are we seeing?
Ted: Manos: Hands of Fate.
Stella: The whole thing?
Ted: Only the important parts.

I love her look at him here. She can't believe him and is so
wonderfully surprised by his heart and his perseverance.

Ted: Worst movie ever.
Stella: Yeah, I almost walked out like five times.
Ted: How are we doing on time? Taxi!
Stella: We got a little time.
Ted: Okay, you want to walk it?
Stella: Why not?
Ranjit: Hello! Goodbye!

Ted: So, what grade's your daughter in?
Stella: Third grade.
Ted: Ah, that's a good year.
Stella: Yeah, she's wonderful. I just wish I could get her to quit smoking, you know?
Ted: What?
Stella: I'm kidding.
Ted: Oh. Little coffee and dessert?

My question: why is the faux Italian restaurant located
in front of a gyros place? WHERE IS THE FOOD COMING FROM?

Stella: You know, this neighborhood just keeps on changing. This used to be a cute little Italian restaurant.
Ted: I know. New York. It's a living organism, an ever-changing tapestry. Ooh, look at the time! Let's go.
Stella: The cheesecake's amazing.
Ted: Flowers?
Stella: I'm allergic.

I love how he planted the flowers and when he finds out
she's allergic, he just ends up holding them with no
embarassment or awkwardness.

Ted: Okay, see, we're getting to know each other! Stella, I had a lovely--doggie bag. Stella, I had a lovely time.

Best. Part. The entire time I was like, Ted, great date,
but she didn't even get to eat anything. And then
the doggie bag! He thought ahead!

Stella: Me, too, Ted.

Two minutes nineteen seconds later...

Ted: And...date!

Thoughts: Oh, How I Met Your Mother. One of the most consistently funny and endearing shows on television. Yes, there's Barney's hilarious womanizing and Lily and Marshall's adventures in coupledom. But the heart of the show (and, in fact, the main thrust of it) is Ted's search for a wife. It is a vehicle to show his depth of feeling, how he responds to love's ups and downs. He has his bad moments, but they are generally outweighted by the strength of his good intentions. I love Ted because he's willing to do anything for love.

This is possibly the cutest thing Ted has done on the show yet, although the blue french horn and blue orchestra come close. It's literally a great date boiled down to two minutes. You see instantly how connected the two of them are to each other. Stella had already been charmed by Ted, but on this date she finally is able to see that he is willing to put her first and work around her hectic lifestyle.

I can say honestly that I wanted Stella to be the mother. I have enormous respect for Sarah Chalke from her work on Scrubs and I felt that Stella and Ted had great chemistry--most importantly, a different chemistry than he did with Robin. You got to see Ted in a truly adult relationship for once: both had to compromise, but after each one, you never felt like either was losing too much. In the end, though, it was pretty clear that they weren't going to work out.