These are some wonderful TV in 2006 that should not be ignored. Check whether you've already seen them.
December 28, 2006 (Press Release) --
1. "Veronica Mars"
"Veronica Mars" kept me stuck to my couch every week during the second season that wrapped up around summer, but not the current, slightly disappointing third season.
When the third season started, the mystery show got a new opening sequence (terrible) and the writers slightly narrowed the plots into fewer mysteries and characters (what a shame).
Last summer, creator Rob Thomas said he'd been convinced by reaction or possibly by network people that the second season was too thick with subplots and suspects. I think his conviction is off base, to say the least.
That second season may have been confusing at times, if you didn't watch every week. But it was witty, surreal and post-noir in a way that sucked me in. It was so much fun.
2. "24"
It made me watch it every week, unpoint, instead of DVR-ing it and catching it later.
I remember Roger Ebert once saying he doesn't use hackneyed phrases referring to the physical effects of a movie on him, unless that effect actually happened. Like, tingles up the spine. I try to follow that rule.
So believe me when I say watching "24" made my heart race on many occasions this year, as special agent Jack ran around Los Angeles, torturing terrorist suspects and stopping the mass murder of a city.
Everything about "24" works. The characters, the acting, the plots, the pacing, even the music. Starting Jan. 15, we'll see if the next season can live up to the rapid, intense drama of this year.
3. "Heroes"
This could have been the cheesiest thing on TV. A drama about superpeople who awaken to their new powers? Doesn't sound especially interesting. But it is fantastic.
There was the time when the cheerleader awakened from being dead and autopsied to find her body all cut up; she healed herself and ran away. There was the politician who suddenly, shockingly flew into the sky.
And Hiro, the time traveler, gets all the best lines, like "Save the cheerleader, save the world." He and his friend saw a painting of the future, where Hiro battles a dragon with a sword. His friend fretted. As usual, Hiro wasn't worried.
"I have to find that sword," he said.
One of the great things is the way the writers juggle plots, as in novels, with long prequel flashbacks, or short bursts of visions of the future. And then a character will die without warning, to keep us on our toes. What a blast.
4. "Dexter"
On Showtime, this show comes in at No. 4 on this list, but it's the series -- about a serial killer who kills only murderers -- that could, over the long haul, become the most classic series now on TV.
It's filled with extremely entertaining contradictions. It's gruesome, yet the cinematography is luscious and lovingly filmed. Dexter is an emotionless creep, yet he's very charming, like a child.
Source: http://www.msn.com
POSTED BY DOUG ELFMAN
"Veronica Mars" kept me stuck to my couch every week during the second season that wrapped up around summer, but not the current, slightly disappointing third season.
When the third season started, the mystery show got a new opening sequence (terrible) and the writers slightly narrowed the plots into fewer mysteries and characters (what a shame).
Last summer, creator Rob Thomas said he'd been convinced by reaction or possibly by network people that the second season was too thick with subplots and suspects. I think his conviction is off base, to say the least.
That second season may have been confusing at times, if you didn't watch every week. But it was witty, surreal and post-noir in a way that sucked me in. It was so much fun.
2. "24"
It made me watch it every week, unpoint, instead of DVR-ing it and catching it later.
I remember Roger Ebert once saying he doesn't use hackneyed phrases referring to the physical effects of a movie on him, unless that effect actually happened. Like, tingles up the spine. I try to follow that rule.
So believe me when I say watching "24" made my heart race on many occasions this year, as special agent Jack ran around Los Angeles, torturing terrorist suspects and stopping the mass murder of a city.
Everything about "24" works. The characters, the acting, the plots, the pacing, even the music. Starting Jan. 15, we'll see if the next season can live up to the rapid, intense drama of this year.
3. "Heroes"
This could have been the cheesiest thing on TV. A drama about superpeople who awaken to their new powers? Doesn't sound especially interesting. But it is fantastic.
There was the time when the cheerleader awakened from being dead and autopsied to find her body all cut up; she healed herself and ran away. There was the politician who suddenly, shockingly flew into the sky.
And Hiro, the time traveler, gets all the best lines, like "Save the cheerleader, save the world." He and his friend saw a painting of the future, where Hiro battles a dragon with a sword. His friend fretted. As usual, Hiro wasn't worried.
"I have to find that sword," he said.
One of the great things is the way the writers juggle plots, as in novels, with long prequel flashbacks, or short bursts of visions of the future. And then a character will die without warning, to keep us on our toes. What a blast.
4. "Dexter"
On Showtime, this show comes in at No. 4 on this list, but it's the series -- about a serial killer who kills only murderers -- that could, over the long haul, become the most classic series now on TV.
It's filled with extremely entertaining contradictions. It's gruesome, yet the cinematography is luscious and lovingly filmed. Dexter is an emotionless creep, yet he's very charming, like a child.
Source: http://www.msn.com
POSTED BY DOUG ELFMAN
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