Gossip Girl 4x02

“The life of Serena van der Woodsen is like the most complicated Jane Austen novel,” sighs Juliet, Nate’s new blonde, 24-hour life coach and Gossip Girl stalker. (A nice little self-referential chuckle from the writing team can be heard across the Upper East Side.) Soon Juliet is setting up Vanessa with Dan, allegedly to help Nate win Serena back. Meanwhile, Serena and Blair are enjoying their last fairy-tale moments in Paris. Just when Blair is taking off to her date with Prince Louis Grimaldi of Monaco, Lily calls Serena to identify a body found in the Seine with Chuck’s wallet. Chuck is actually very much alive. He has moved to Paris with his savior Eva, where he is beginning a new life as Henry Prince. (Oh, how ironic! That Henry with the many wives and countless lovers, he?) On her way to her Monégasque Prince, Blair’s taxi cab almost knocks Chuck off his feet. Serena picks up on the lead and is able to trace him, but he shuts the door in her face. Confronted with Blair and Serena in Paris, Chuck boldly signs over his Empire Hotel to Lily and dashes of with Eva to London. Then Serena comes back to New York only to find Dan and Vanessa all chummy in the Humphrey’s Dumbo loft, Nate and Juliet holding hands, her mother and Rufus in the nursery, plus Milo, Georgina’s baby. In just one summer everything has changed. For her part, that devious Juliet is talking on the phone with someone about some plan, apparently involving Chuck. So far, the guest stars are a nice distraction from the usual soap drama, and of course Katie Cassidy (Juliet) and Clémence Poésy (Eva) are pretty eye candy. As glorious as the Parisian backdrop has been these first two episodes this season, though, New York is still the Big Apple of my eye!

BBC Oceans: Southern Ocean

In the second installment of BBC’s nature documentary Oceans, Paul Rose and his team of marine explorers travel to Tasmania to investigate why certain parts of the Antarctic Ocean are warming twice as fast as the rest of the world’s oceans. The Southern Ocean may offer a glimpse into the future of life on Earth – the impact of global warming and climate change. The most evident sign of this phenomenon is the decimation of Tasmania’s giant kelp forests over the past decade to mere patches of hardly five percent their former size. The rise in sea temperatures is itself a major cause, but the team discovers that another perpetrator is the sea urchin – an invasion that has devastated the environment into a barren rocky wasteland. The disappearance of these forests threatens the rich biodiversity normally sustained by kelp and endangers the habitat of the elusive weedy seadragon. We learn that a shift in the East Australian Current brings warm water from the equator farther south than before. Part of a solution to the problem may be the reintroducing of rock lobsters (crayfish) as they prey on sea urchins.

The Antarctic Ocean not only offers a glimpse into the future, it also offers a glimpse into the past. A network of sea caves, namely, contain fossils of ancient shell fish who lived some 300,000 million years ago, which are identical to specimen found across the ocean in Antarctica. Tasmania, in other words, broke off the Southern Pole. Furthermore, strong currents and roaring storms have taken many victims so that the ocean bed is littered with thousands of shipwrecks off Tasmania alone. In the southwestern Sunken Valley, tannin in the surface water from the peat soil filters sunlight, which allows creates to thrive in conditions otherwise found over a thousand feet deep, such as sea whips and sea pens. The team, moreover, discovers that Maori octopuses get stranded by the dozens every year in the secluded Eaglehawk Bay as the access to the open sea is blocked off by a small strip of land. As an extra treat the team dive with fur seals that were once hunted to the brink of extinction, but are now recovering in vigorous colonies on Tasman Island. As informative as the program is, the Cricket is still annoyed by the so-called “human dimension” of the show. More marvelous marine life, please, and less talking heads.

Mad Men 4x10

Finally the moment I have been waiting for, Beatlemania! Sally shrieks with happiness when Don got her surprise tickets for The Beatles concert at Shea Stadium. (It is now August 1965.) When Joan tells Roger she is pregnant and he must be the father, his response is typically condescending and chauvinist. Joan, though, is such a strong woman, she tells him she will take care of it herself. They visit his doctor for a referral; he reprimands Roger for taking advantage of Joan; but recommends a clinic in Morristown, NJ. Roger toys with the idea of keeping the baby, he’ll support her, but again Joan remains strong and tells him she will handle the situation – on her own. Later Roger has dinner with Lee Garner, his contact at Lucky Strike. Roger’s firm has represented them for thirty years, but now the board is terminating their relationship. He begs and pleads for thirty days to convince them and eventually Lee caves in, even though he is certain the decision has already been made.

It is interesting to say the least to learn about Lane Pryce’s relationship with his father. Lane was expecting his son to visit him from London. Instead his father arrives to bring him to London, which Lane declines politely. He does invite his father to dinner and asks Don to join them. Afterwards Lane takes them to The Playboy Club, and introduces them to an African-American waitress Toni, his Chocolate Bunny. He is infatuated. Later he tells his father he will not return to London because of her. His father hit him on his head with his cane, steps on his hand and orders Lane comes to London.

Meanwhile, the North American Aviation account, which Pete brought in three years ago when Don went missing in California, is promising to bring in more revenue as the executives wish to promote their cutting-edge defense technologies. Then two FBI agents show up at the Francis residence, claiming to perform a background check on Don who has applied for a security clearance. For forty-five minutes they drill Betty about his integrity, military history, loyalty to the country, allegiance to political clubs, and so on. Distraught, Betty calls Don complaining he did not warn her in advance. He breaks out in a nervous sweat but is grateful she did not break his cover. His past and his fake identity are catching up on him.

Don’s new secretary Megan explains she filled out the application with the standard employment information and had him sign it. The only other person alive who knows Don Draper really is Dick Whitman is slimy Pete. When Pete explains the application is part of their new NAA project, Don panics and even suggests he will leave the firm. Snailface Pete is actually supportive and offers to speak with a contact in the defense department. Later that evening Betty tells her husband about the interview with the agents. She says she does not want any secrets between them, but she does not reveal Don’s real identity to Henry. The next day, Pete wonders out loud why he needs to protect Don’s secret. But Don demands he cancels the $4 million account. What’s in it for Pete and how long until he will blow Don’s cover?

Then Faye stops by Don’s office and notices he has a fever, she takes him home. Don gets an outright panic attack when two men approach him in the hallway. He confides he is tired of running and briefly tells Faye how he came to adopt Don Draper’s identity in Korea. At the next meeting Pete informs the partners that he has made an incorrigible error that lost them the NAA account. Roger bursts out in anger. Cooper tells him to apologize. Lane announces a leave of absence. Then Joan asks about the shape of the current accounts and Roger gives a “thumbs up” for Lucky Strike. Just as we thought things were getting better with Don and the firm, they throw us these incredible curve balls! Hence the episode’s title, “Hands and Knees.”

Breaking Bad 3x13

Walt and Gus have agreed to meet in the New Mexico desert. Mike has had to do a lot of cleaning up after Walt plowed his car into the two dealers. Gus is incensed that Walt intervened to save Jesse, “some worthless junkie.” Walt offers Gus two options: kill him and Jesse, or continue their business arrangement as if nothing has happened. When he returns to the superlab, Walt is unpleasantly surprised that Gale is back as his assistant. At some warehouse, four Mexican gangsters are holding the owner at gunpoint. Mike the goon outmaneuvers them all. Apparently the owner supplies chemicals for manufacturing the meth – and the Mexican cartel is trying to find a weakness in Gus’ business. For his part, Gus visits Gale to inform him that Walt is dying of cancer and, in the event of his death, hopes Gale can take over the lab. He urges him to learn Walt’s system for cooking crystal the next day. The next morning Mike probes Saul where he can find Jesse. Saul pleads he cannot tell him that, but that he might have accidentally left a note with his whereabouts, some trailer park in Virginia.

Saul then drives with Walt to an arcade, allegedly to talk about some money laundering scheme, but really because at least that place won’t be bugged. Jesse is already there. In very few words, Walt explains they need to get rid of Gale. Jesse suggests going to the DEA for witness protection. Walt intimates without Gale, they are the only one who know how to manufacture the pure blue meth. All Walt needs from Jesse is Gale’s address – with Gus’ men continually trailing him, Walt cannot be seen following Gale home. Later, Jesse calls Walt with the address, but again begs him to go to the police instead. Just when Walt is leaving his house, one of Gus’ men drives up telling him to come to the lab. Mike’s already there – and Walt knows this is the end. Panicking, he tries to wrangle his way out of the situation to no avail. Walt offers them Jesse. He calls Jesse, but instead of arranging a meeting, he quickly tells Jesse he has a twenty-minute lead. “They’re going to kill me,” he explains, “Jesse, do it now!” Now held at gunpoint himself, Walt tells them Gale’s address – enough for them to know his plan. “Your boss is going to need me,” he proffers. Jesse reaches Gale’s house, he shoots his gun and the screen goes black. We have to wait until the next season to find out if Jesse screwed up again or if he did kill Gale. What a cliff hanger! And what an astounding season finale!

I have been having some difficulties figuring out when the dramatic events are supposed to take place. There was a reference to Fanny-Mae in the first season, to the subprime mortgage crisis in the second; Skyler was several months pregnant in the beginning and gave birth to Holly in season two; Combo was killed in season two also, and in the third that was just two months ago; later Walt asks Skyler what she imagines has been paying for all the bills for the six months. So, while we have been watching the series for three years, only a little more than half a year has passed in dramatic time. Thus, the events must all take place in 2008.

It was clear from the beginning of this season that Tuco’s cousins were going to play a big role in this season’s story arc. At first I found their cartoonish appearance bothersome, but the shootout with Hank offered a highpoint in terms of nerve-racking action. The failed assassination also provided a marvelous twist in Hank’s plot that started with the panic attacks about his promotion in El Paso. In the aftermath, his wife Marie became a more well-rounded character than she had been so far. The supporting cast including Gus, Mike and Saul were excellent as well. Skyler’s gradually shift, from a complaining, cheating mother and wife, to a more involved and understanding partner was immensely rewarding. Nevertheless, the real kudos go to Walt and Jesse. Obviously the show revolves around them, first and foremost, but it is because their characters are so engrossing what makes Breaking Bad one of the best drama series of the moment. It is going to be a long wait for season four. (Mind you, I finished this season early in July!)

Dexter 4x07

We are just over halfway season four, and the seventh episode is appropriately titled “Slack Tide” – the stillness between ebb and flood. While sailing with Deb, Rita and the kids, Dexter gets called to a crime scene: a female arm found inside an alligator. Through fingerprints, they are able to identify the woman as an illegal immigrant who was working as a cocktail waitress and model. Since her photographer, Jonathan Farrow, was previously accused of rape and known for his violently disturbing images, he is immediately suspected. During interrogation he is defiant and even offers to roughen Deb up a bit. Dex moves him to the top of his list. Miami Metro cannot get a search warrant, due to lack of probable cause, but Batista has already found the names of three other models who have gone missing. Dex searches Farrow’s studio for clues and finds indications of blood and a finger nail that fits the severed arm. Enough evidence for Dexter.

Meanwhile, cute Christine continues begging for an interview with Deb, but Dex brushes her off. Debra is more interested in returning to the “Trinity Killer” and honor his memory. She only pitches the bludgeoning cases, afraid the rest will sound too crazy, and LaGuerta gives her permission to resume the investigation. Although no longer much of a priority for her, Deb is still interested talking to former informants of her father to find out about his affairs. She hears that he actually picked up snitches based on how good they were in bed. She tells Dex about it and he advises her to let it go. He takes his mother’s file and puts it through the paper shredder. At the last minute he takes out her photo: he can’t bring himself to let her be cut up again. Quinn has been having beef with Dex ever since Dex saw him steal money from a crime scene. He’s been getting on his case, wondering where Dex is all the time, even tailing him. I hope they’re not going to take this the route of Sgt. Doakes.

Dex joins Arthur for a trip to the woods. “Two serial killers go for a ride,” Dex quips to himself, but this isn’t a start of a good joke. It would be the perfect opportunity to kill the “Trinity Killer,” but Dex still feels that he can learn more from Arthur about living a “normal” life. Instead he finds that Arthur has dramatic mood swings, gets agitated easily, but is unable to kill a deer that leaped in front of his car. Dex also learns from Arthur that parents should prepare their children for their future, pushing them out in the open, and encouraging their hobbies, which will also offer the parents time off. Cody is happy to join the young sailors club, but Astor doesn’t like any of Dex’ suggestions. It does score him brownie points with Rita for his involvement. But, now he has to take Cody and his friends out on a camping trip. At night, Dex sneaks out and catches Farrow for his vigilant ritual.

The “Trinity Killer” seems to be punishing himself. First he provoked a fight in a dark alley behind a bar. Now he’s planing the wood he and Dexter fell on their trip. But what is he making? He said he was going to use the wood for his next Four Walls build, but why bring that to his own garage? Arthur is actually making a coffin, but for whom? The morning after murdering Farrow, Dex arrives at work to find that Batista and Quinn have arrested Farrow’s assistant for the murder of at least the latest model. Their case is airtight (which I find a little contrived, just a weekend has passed...). But what was bound to happen one day eventually did: Dexter killed an innocent man who did not even attack him! Slack Tide is over. Dex has been putting off killing Arthur, instead spending his time murdering Farrow.

Benidorm – Series 3

When we last saw the vacationers at Benidorm, Madge was about to get married to Mel. Geoff tried to drop in on the wedding ceremony with a parachute, but instead he kicked Mel in the head before flying off. Mick was arrested for punching Mel in an attempt to revive him. Now Janice and Madge are rushing to the hospital. What they don’t know is that they’re driving with a murderer, and that Janice’s stalker is close behind. In the end, Mel has to hire a helicopter to save his bride-to-be as well as half of the other vacationers off the hotel roof. I can’t even begin to describe all the hilarity involved! Everyone swears never to return to the place, but they are offered a free week’s vacation next year. So, now the sun and fun are back when we return to the all-inclusive vacation resort in Benidorm. And everyone is here again: the Garveys (Mick and Janice, their children, her mother, plus Mel and ‘Tell’s baby Coolio), Gavin and Troy, Donald and Jacqueline, Geoff and his mother. Well, actually, not everyone is back, Martin arrives without his wife Kate. But he brought a new friend called Brandy. It’s hilarious! What a bimbo! She lies and she cheats, and keeps leading Martin on. She sleeps with Latin Lover Mateo, so she can get his swipe card with entrance to all the hotel rooms. We later learn that she’s working with a con-artist to rob everyone blind. Martin is merely her mark. She practically steals the shirt off his back and in utter desperation he calls Kate back in England. She arrives with a vengeance the next morning! Also on the scene to save Martin, is his posh mother, who’s mad as a hatter.

Entrepreneurial as he is, Madge’s husband Mel has set up a mobile chair shop right in Benidorm. The grand opening goes completely awry because he used so many light bulbs that the shop goes up in smoke! He then gets the idea of buying an island off the coast so he can develop his empire there. He’s sent on a wild goose chase, so to speak, when he’s told the island is owned by the “Dovez.” (Get it? A local mispronunciation of “doves.”) Mel’s also set up by the con-artist with promises of big money. The gay couple Gavin and Troy are like the two grumpy muppets up in the box seat, always offering a running commentary of the goings on. Troy is gay simply because he likes cock, but Gavin thinks he’s gay because he’s intellectual, artistic, sensitive – he’s certainly sensitive about his weight. They are a lovely couple, the nicest people of the group. I was sad when Gavin thought Troy was having another lover. Fortunately, it turned out to be Troy’s son from before he came out of the closet! Geoff’s mother thinks her son is gay because he never had a proper girlfriend, while he’s out trying to score an internet date – not realizing he’s chatting online with a tranny. When they finally meet, he’s so shocked he can’t move! Donald and Jacqueline continue inviting folks over for their swinger parties, never realizing how awkward their sexual insinuations are or how untimely. There are so many high points, it is impossible to describe them all. Certainly a favorite moment is when Madge is performing karaoke completely high on ecstasy pills she mistook for diarrhea tablets. It’s a hoot! Truly, try to watch this show, your Cricket gives warm recommendations.

Weeds 6x05

What is Karma Boomerang? That’s when shit hits the fan for all the bad things you’ve done before. Nancy and Andy were walking out of the alternative medicine supplier’s house when two cops stop them. Their minivan is registered to a license plate with $6,000 worth of parking violations. They lie that the car isn’t theirs – and eventually get away with it. But now they don’t have a car – plus, what’s worse, Andy had unthinkingly registered the car under Shane’s name. The Botwins need to pack up and leave again. “Goodbye Seattle,” Nancy sighs, “It never even rained. What a rip-off.” Meanwhile Doug is literally digging his own grave pleading to god for a miracle – one of those hilarious and deeply troubling moments. “This sucks so much,” Doug cries. Then Andy’s cell phone rings (to inform Mr. Botwin that his car’s is experiencing loss of tire pressure), “remind me where I lost my car,” Cesar replies. The comedic scenes that ensue are too good to summarize without ruining the fun: Nancy has to plea Andy to stay with them, even though she has nothing to offer him; Silas has to leave college and steal his date’s car; Shane’s mommy group inform the authorities to check on little Stevie’s living conditions; Nancy’s co-worker Latrice steals all her drug money; Cesar and Ignacio duct-tape Doug in their car; and that doesn’t even cover half of it. So, what is going to happen next? Will Nancy keep running from Esteban or will she confront him? How long will she be able to keep bringing Andy and Silas in tow? Terrific show!