Friday, December 17, 2010

AUS Television: Possible Second Season for Rake?

While there is no official word from ABC1 just yet, there is hope that the awesome legal drama/comedy Rake will return for a second season.

In a 5th November, 2010 article on throng.com.au, the excellent numbers for Rake's debut are detailed.  The show debuted with a 20% five city share, an audience of 900,000 which peaked at 938,000.  The numbers were an increase of 9% over the same time slot the previous week.

The article quotes ABC1 Controller Brendan Dahill who said:  “I am thrilled with the audience response to Rake and we are already in negotiations with the producers for a second series.

“Scheduling Rake on a Thursday night was risky, as it is a long time since the network aired a drama on that night. But I felt viewers wanted some fun later in the week and this wonderfully irreverent drama series fitted the bill perfectly.”

This is an older article, I know, but it is the only thing I've found thus far about the possibility or no of a second series for Rake.

Being a massive fan of Rake, I think it's wonderful news that ABC1 has been speaking with the producers of the show for a second series.  It has been a brilliant summer show that hasn't failed to deliver excellent entertainment a single time.  Each episode has been a pleasure and this Australian program is just as strong, if not superior, to most shows from the United States or even the UK.

Here's hoping we will be getting official word that a second series will indeed be on the way.  If that announcement is made, I'll most certainly have to share the good news!

Source, Full article:  http://www.throng.com.au/rake/new-comedy-rake-proves-winner-abc

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.7 "R vs. Tanner"

Rake
Season One, Episode Seven, R vs. Tanner
Original Air Date:  December 16, 2010


Cleaver is bashed during an unsuccessful robbery attempt at a chemists shop and must testify at the trial of the young man accused of the robbery, bashing and death of his fellow robber.  Joe Sandilands is outed as one of fourteen politicians who frequented Club Jules.  Tired of the stress of the situation, Joe commits suicide.  Cleaver is given the case of Travis Tanner, a young man accused of bashing and robbing "Glebe woman".  Cleaver learns some shocking truths about Missy that have the ability to change the relationship between the two of them forever.  Fuzz hits some relationship woes with Fiona.  Barney deals with his separation from Scarlett.

Barney spends a sleepless night without Scarlett but, oddly enough, finds himself smiling as he stands by the pool drinking his coffee the following morning.

Joe Sandilands is outed as one of fourteen politicians who frequented Club Jules, the brothel where Missy used to work.  Video of him leaving the Club was put on YouTube leaving Sandilands no choice but to issue a statement expressing regret and remorse to his family, colleagues and supporters.

Cleave, who is suffering from a lion of a hang-over begs Nicole to find something to "kill the bastard behind my eyes" but, alas, she cannot find anything that will do the trick.  Two men go through their last minute preparations for a robbery.  Unfortunately, they have chosen to rob the exact same chemists shop where Cleaver has gone to get something for his "step-mother of all headaches".  They enter the shop while the chemist has gone to the back to fetch something for Cleave's headache.  Poor Cleaver, who can't stop telling the young men that they are on "candid camera" and that they should bolt before getting caught ends up getting bashed in the side of the head.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Idris Elba Nominated For a Golden Globe!

The amazing Idris Elba has received a Golden Globe nomination for his work as John Luther in the BBC series Luther.  His nomination is in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category. 

Ian McShane (Pillars of the Earth), Al Pacino (You don't Know Jack), Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship) and Edgar Ramierez (Carlos) are also nominated in the same category.

Congratulations, Idris!    Hopefully, come January 16, 2011, Idris and all of his fans will be celebrating his win!

If you would like to see the entire list of nominees for this year, you can visit the Official Golden Globes web site.
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

Friday, December 10, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.11 "By the Light of the Moon"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.11, By the Light of the Moon
Original Air Date:  December 9, 2010


The full moon arrives and Caroline is right by Tyler's side as he embarks on his first transformation.  Jules, a mysterious woman arrives in town looking for Mason Lockwood.  Could Jules be more than she appears and could she be bringing danger with her?  Bonnie and Luka work a spell together but both are hiding secrets from the other.  Elijah returns to make Elena an offer she can't refuse.  Life changes for Rose.

Tyler, growing more anxious about the approaching full moon, starts preparing.  He tries calling Mason but gets his voice mail and leaves a message.  The message is heard by an unknown woman.

Elena questions Bonnie about the moonstone.  Bonnie knows if she can figure out how to remove the spell from the stone it will be useless.  Elena wants Bonnie to focus on getting Stefan out of the tomb instead of focusing on the moonstone (which is what Stefan wants Bonnie to do).  Jeremy interrupts their conversation and, when Bonnie leaves to get a coffee, he asks Elena why she's on a suicide mission.  Elena doesn't want those she loves to get hurt but he doesn't accept that.  When he leaves, Elena takes the moonstone from Bonnie's purse and tries to leave.  She tells Bonnie she is going to see Stefan but Bonnie knows Elena is lying.  Jeremy, finds that his sister took the moonstone.  Elena protests citing that Klaus killed Katherine's family because of her having crossed him.  Bonnie steps aside and when Elena tries to leave the house she finds that Bonnie has set up a spell to trap Elena in the house.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.6 "R vs. Langhorn"

Rake
Season One, Episode Six, R vs. Langhorn
Original Air Date:  December 9, 2010


Radio personality Eddie Langhorn is arrested for inciting racial hatred because of controversial comments she made on her radio show during an interview with Joe Sandilands.  She turns to old friend Cleaver Greene to represent her.  Cleave makes another appearance in tax court.  This time, it doesn't end so favorably for him.  Missy gives Cleave some expected, but unwelcome, news.  Cleave must deal with a family emergency when his father has a stroke.  Barney comes to Scarlett's aid during a trial she's prosecuting.

Radio personality, Eddie Langhorn (Rachel Griffiths) interviews Joe Sandilands and pulls no punches in her questioning of him.  She wants to know what will be done about crime, particularly a series of rapes that haven't been solved.  She blames him for the vigilantes who have starting working in some of the neighborhoods.  A group of young men with ball bats brutally attack and bash another group of young men and leave them where they fall.

Scarlett is still not home with Barney.  Her sister comes into the nursery to feed the baby and tell Scarlett that she received a phone call from her boss, Warrick (the Director of Public Prosecutions).  Cleave is awakened by Nicole as he was sleeping beneath his desk.  He gets up to get ready for court and is caught buck naked in the men's room washing up.

The police place Eddie Langhorn under arrest for causing a riot and inciting racial hatred.  She isn't bothered by the charges in the least and the officers that arrest her are quite star-struck.  David, Missy and Joe, on the campaign trail, spend some time with some of the "less controversial ethnic groups" and even do some dancing for the cameras. 

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.5 "R vs. Chandler"

Rake
Season One, Episode Five, R vs. Chandler
Original Air Date:  December 2, 2010


Dr. Bruce Chandler is in need of the stellar legal services of Cleaver Greene when a DVD hidden in the good doctors briefcase is discovered following the theft of said briefcase.  Barney doesn't want anything to do with Cleaver.  Scarlett shows up at Cleaver's flat after Barney kicks her out of their house.  David Potter starts his political run but will it cause problems between he and Missy?

Cleave tries to get Barney to talk to him and wants Barnyard to even give him a good hit.  Barney keeps his cool until Cleave tells his friend he has too much respect for him.  He accuses Cleave of never giving respect no matter how much he talks about it and of being a selfish turd.  Things don't go too much better when Cleave drops by Wendy's.  Fuzz will not let him in the house because neither he or Wendy want him there.  He pleads his case to Wendy (and Fuzz) in that he thought his son was seeing a girl his own age and not a 28 year-old woman.  She tells Cleaver to not come back until he feels he can shoulder some of the responsibility of raising their son.  Cleave walks away grumbling about how their conversation should have gone.

Dr. Bruce Chandler's (Sam Neill) briefcase is stolen as he is at the check out at the market.  A policeman later finds the briefcase on the curb and takes it back to his desk to look through it where he finds a DVD hidden in the case.  The police pay a visit to Dr. Chandler at the hospital about his stolen briefcase (and the contents of the DVD).  Chandler ends up at the police station.  When his wife, Jan (Heather Mitchell), comes to visit him, he whispers to her that they found the DVD.  She's angry he didn't keep the DVD in their home safe.  That wasn't an option because their daughter, Bec (Brooke Harman) has the combination to the safe.

Friday, December 3, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.10 "The Sacrifice"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.10, The Sacrifice
Original Air Date:  December 2, 2010


Damon and Stefan have a plan to get the moonstone from Katherine but Elena wants no part of it.  She has her own plans.  Elena convinces Rose to take her to see Slater as neither woman knows he is dead.  When Elena's plan isn't what Rose thought it was, she calls Damon for help.  Jeremy gets in trouble and Stefan makes a sacrifice of his own to save him.  Tyler and Caroline make a discovery about the Lockwood Curse that terrifies them both.

Elena awakens to see her bedroom door open.  Thinking nothing of it, she rolls over to go back to sleep.  We see Jonas Martin looking around a door and a sound startles Elena and she jolts up in bed to look around.  She goes out into the hall to check out the house, and as she is getting ready to look into a room with an open door, a shirtless Alaric startles her (startles them both, actually).  While Jenna and Alaric are uncomfortably telling Elena that what she heard was them (!), Jonas Martin is in Elena's room taking hair from her hair brush and some of her jewelry as well as a photograph.  Elena goes back to bed and Jonas Martin slips out of the house without anyone knowing he was there.

After going to see Katherine, Damon and Stefan pay a visit to Elena.  The brothers went to see Katherine to ask her for the moonstone.  She agreed to give them anything they wanted if they had their witch hocus-pocus her out of the tomb as she's reconsidered staying there where Klaus cannot touch her.  They free her and she turns over the stone and disappears from Mystic Falls forever.  They can destroy the spell Klaus wants Elena for by releasing it from the moonstone.  Their plan is for Bonnie to be able to break the tomb's seal long enough for the Salvatores to get in, get the stone and get out.  Elena tells them there is only one problem with their plan:  she doesn't want them to do it.  She doesn't want Klaus to kill everyone she cares about, including Damon and Stefan. 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

UK Television: Law & Order: UK, Episode 4.1 "ID"

Law & Order:  UK
Season Four, Episode One, ID
ID, Original Air Date:  November 4, 2010 (Canada)

ID, Original Air Date:  March 21, 2011 (U.K.)
Based on Law & Order (US) "Promises to Keep", Season 3, Episode 14 (10th February, 1993)


A young doctor is brutally murdered in the car park of the hospital where she works.  The case takes on a dramatic twist when the prime suspect turns out to have a shocking identity.  As the investigation continues, even more details emerge and the case takes on a complication that could potentially threaten the legal system.

In 1997, Billy Wells (Matthew Loreti) is given a sentence of 12 years for his part in the killing of teacher Yvonne Macy and her unborn child.  In the present day, at the Royal Hampton Hospital, Alice Cullen was murdered.  The murder wasn't caught on CCTV has it happened between cars and the cameras didn't pick it up.  Nothing was missing with the exception of her keys.  Brooks feels Alice Cullen knew her attacker.

When Brooks and Devlin search Alice Cullen's flat, they find that whoever killed her had already used her keys to get in and ransack the flat.  Matt Devlin finds an ultrasound that had been done of the child Alice was carrying and post-mortem confirmed she was 10 weeks pregnant.  Two dark hairs found on her clothes were sent in for DNA analysis.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.4 "R vs. Lorton"

Rake
Season One, Episode Four, R vs. Lorton
Original Air Date:  November 25, 2010


A young male prostitute is found murdered in a lane.  The man who is accused of the crime has a surprising past and might just be Cleaver's one truly innocent client.  Meanwhile, David and Missy are thrust into new territory when Joe Sandilands asks David to run for state Parliament.  Wendy and Cleaver Greene meet Fuzz's new girlfriend.  Barney makes a shocking discovery about his good friend, Cleaver Greene.

A young man is found bound and murdered in a lane.  There was one witness, Stanley Shrimpton, who said he saw a man stab the boy, run out of the lane, saw the man holding the knife and saw him dump the knife in a bin.  The man who did the killing, according to the witness, calls himself "Peaker". 

Friday, November 26, 2010

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episodes 4.22 "Empowerment"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Twenty-Two, Empowerment
Original Air Date:  November 24, 2010


Note:  Episodes 21 & 22 were aired together but I am presenting them here as two separate episodes.

An extremely successful porn producer is murdered and video of his murder is uploaded into the members only section of his web site.  The list of suspects range from his girlfriend, to his business manager to a talk-back radio host who had been crusading against the porn industry.  Meanwhile, Allie and Rhys' relationship continues and Bernice finds out.  One of the team leaves Homicide for good.


After watching a computer video, a woman calls 000 saying that she thinks her boss has just been killed.  Duncan and Jennifer arrive at the scene to find that Blake Johnson, the most successful porn producer in Australia has been murdered.  A video of the murder was uploaded onto Johnson's web site at 2 a.m. into the members only section.  They find drugs at the scene. 

Myra Rawlings, Blake's business manager, called in his death.  She usually checks the site first thing in the morning to make sure nothing inappropriate was uploaded during the night and found the video of Blake.  Their relationship was strictly business.  Rawlings was an adult actress in Los Angeles before she started working with Blake.  Upon returning to Australia, he contacted her wanting to do something different.  Alice Flowers, their site, was an "ethically run empowering site" using female directors and all female crew and is the most popular subscriber site in the country. 

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episodes 4.21 "The Price of Love"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Twenty-One, The Price of Love
Original Air Date:  November 24, 2010


Note:  Episodes 21 & 22 were aired together but I am presenting them here as two separate episodes.

A young woman is found dead in an abandoned home and the trail leads a local widower.  He claims he loved the woman and wanted to start a life with her and would never hurt her.  The case becomes more complicated when the team learns the woman was a prostitute.  Was it the man who loved her that killed her, one of his children, one of her clients or her neighbour.  Meanwhile, Jennifer and Nick have a discussion about their future.  It's performance review time for Matt Ryan.


A realtor and her clients find the body of a woman in an empty house.  The team arrive to begin the investigation (after a curt conversation between Matt and Rhys).  Matt and Nick take the lead on the case.  They find no I.D. on the woman and it appears the killer brought or lured her to the house to brutally kill her. 

Matt receives a phone call from Superintendent Jarvis while at the scene calling him back to the office.  After having Matt hold a pitcher of water so he could remove a fish from Bernice's tank, Jarvis tells Matt is it performance review time.  He hands Matt the paper and tells him to fill it out with his strengths and weaknesses and he will sign it and Matt will get his increment and everyone will be happy. 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Daniel Radcliffe: I AM Harry

We've all suspected it for a while now, haven't we?  Every time we've watched one of the Harry Potter movies we've known that Daniel Radcliffe was just too good in the role to be just an ordinary actor.

I guess the X-Files really were right.  The truth IS out there.  Now we finally have the truth about Radcliffe and Harry Potter.  Radcliffe finally admits on camera that he IS Harry Potter.  That he is, in fact, a wizard playing an actor.

The best line:  "And I talk to women.  Tell them that I'm Harry.  And see where that gets me."  And when Radcliffe shows (off-camera, of course) Apatow the "broom burn" he has from playing Quidditch.  That's laugh out loud funny right there.

The web site Funny or Die has tons and tons of parody and comedy videos made by some of the best actors and comedians out there.  This particular video was made by Daniel Radcliffe and Judd Apatow.  It's an informal and "uncensored interview with Daniel Radcliffe" where the 'actor' discusses the role that made him a household name. 

I hope you get a great laugh out of it like I did.




While you are there, check out some of the other hilarious parody videos that Funny or Die has to offer. 

Monday, November 22, 2010

AUS Television: Offspring Coming Back for Season Two in 2011

The Ten Network has announced their plans for 2011 and my and your favorite Australian drama/comedy series Offspring will be returning next year for a second season!  This is fantastic news as we will get to see just what will happen with Chris Havel and Nina Proudman in front of that lift.  Will they get in it, ride down to the ground floor then go their separate ways, she to Baltimore and he to a life with Alice and Lucy?  Will things finally work out like one of Nina's fantasies and they will retire to a balloon-filled room?

To read the entire run-down of Ten's 2011 plans:  http://www.throng.com.au/ten/network-ten-has-something-everyone-2011

Update, 8th May, 2011:  Offspring will be returning on 16th May, 2011.

AUS Television: Offspring, Episodes 1.12 & 1.13

Offspring
Series One, Episodes Twelve & Thirteen, Season Finale
Original Air Date:  November 21, 2010


In this two-part season finale, the entire Proudman family, Cherie, Mick, and Chris Havel are all dealing with the fall-out of Mick and Nina having spent one night together and revealing that secret to Billie.  That one secret has torn everyone apart.  Nina has a chance at a new life in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States.  It will be a fresh start for a whole new Nina.  Will she take the job and say goodbye to everyone and everything she's ever known and loved?

Part I:
Nina has been leaving messages for Billie but they have all gone unanswered.  At work, Dr. Clegg is critiquing Kim for the way she answers the phone.  Apparently, her voice isn't as friendly and sing-songy as Zara's.  Nina is given a case of a woman carrying a child for her sister and is 33 weeks along into her pregnancy.  She has presented with acute bleeding.  Her sister is there with her.  The woman will have to have an emergency Cesarean because the baby is in distress.  As Nina watches the two sisters comforting one another, she imagines her and Billie in a similar situation:  Nina carrying a baby for Billie.

Cherie tells Darcy she has a man coming over that night and she wants Sam to meet Darcy and Ray.  Nina talks with Mick about Billie.  He has been staking out Geraldine's place as Billie is avoiding him as well.  When Mick arrives home, Jimmy questions him about what is wrong.  Mick wants to drop the issue but Jimmy persists and Mick eventually tells him about his night with Nina.  Jimmy goes to Geraldine's to see Billie and ends up letting things slip to Geraldine about Mick and Nina, something she didn't know about.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

2011 People's Choice Awards: Cast Your Vote!

It's that time of year:  time to cast your vote for the 2011 People's Choice Awards!

This year, two categories in particular are of great interest to this blog.  The awesome Ian Somerhalder is nominated for "Favorite TV Drama Actor" and Mr. Somerhalder's equally awesome show The Vampire Diaries is nominated in the "Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show" category.  Another of my very, very, very favorite shows, Supernatural, is nominated in the "Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show" category as well so you can only imagine my voting dilemma!

You can vote either as a member or as a guest and you can vote as many times as you like.  So, head on over to the People's Choice Awards and cast a vote for Ian and all of your other favorites in all the categories!

The awards will be broadcast on CBS Television on January 5, 2011.

http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/vote/

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.3 "R vs. Dana"

Rake
Season One, Episode Three, R vs. Dana
Original Air Date:  November 18, 2010


Famous chef George Dana is arrested for having not one but two wives and families:  one for each of his restaurants.  Things go from bad to worse for Dana when it is learned that he has not just two but three wives.  Cleaver has an affair with Scarlett.  Barney pays a visit to Cleave's office asking about a private investigator and Cleave talks him out of it suggesting instead that he (Barney) talk to her himself.  David asks Missy to move in with him.  She agrees, but only until he recovers from his injuries and she will make him no promises.  Cleaver comes through in a big way to help Missy.

Successful and famous chef George Dana (Lech Mackiewicz) returns home to find Detectives Turner and Bradbury (Johann Walraven) waiting for him.  Taylor showers him with compliments and praise for his recipies and cooking while Bradbury gets more to the point about an issue in the Blue Mountains where one of the two restaurants Dana owns is located, with a third to soon be opening in Newcastle.  Dana begs the detectives for a moment to freshen up after his long drive which they grant.  Dana tries to flee and trips over his sons bicycle on the front walk.  The detectives rush out and place him under arrest.  Dana assures his wife that, no matter what happens, he loves her. 

Cleaver awakens with a woman's hand wrapped around his bits and rolls over to see it's none other than Scarlett sleeping behind him.  He replays the previous night over in his head while bashing his forehead against the bathroom mirror.  Scarlett walks into the bathroom and asks him "what will become of us all, Mr. Wizard?".  His mistake with Scarlett dominates his thoughts all day and his day just gets worse when Nicole shows him the paper with headlines about David Potter's heroism on the front page.  He can't help but wonder how the shooter could miss David at point blank range.  The news gets better when she reads him the small article about his disgrace on page five. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Play Chess on a NYC Playground & You'll Get Your Day In Court

We all love New York, right?  All the lights, colorful people, good food, entertainment, television shows that are set there, Central Park.  What isn't there to love about New York?  It's the big city at it's best!

However, if you are a resident of New York and live in the district of the 34th Precinct you better not let the police catch you playing chess on the Inwood Hill playground!  That's right, you better not play chess on the playground or you'll get a ticket, buddy, because we all know that it's purely criminal to check or mate in public!

A group of men were playing chess at tables on the Inwood Hill playground last month and were ticketed by a swarm of bullet-proof vest clad police officers.  It should be stated that it is against the law to be in the park if you are not accompanied by a child even if there is no one else in the park.

Laws are laws and should be followed and it's good that the police uphold all laws.  But, (and there is always a 'but', isn't there?) is playing chess really the worst thing that could happen in that park?  I seriously doubt that the truly hardened criminals that lurk in the Big Apple would be on Inwood Hill trying to grab a knight with the bishop.  And even if there were kids in the park at the time, would it truly be so bad that they be exposed to a chess game?  Granted, I'm no Bobby Fischer or Boris Spasskey, but a good game of chess isn't a bad thing every now and then.

Regardless, the group of baddies are due in court on December 28, 2010.  Let's just hope the judge doesn't lock them up and throw away the key without at least letting them take their chess boards and pieces into the joint with them.

Source:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40261971/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/

Thursday, November 18, 2010

140 LB. Newfoundland Dog Saves 95 Year-Old Neighbor

It's been a while since I've done one of my regular sort of posts as I've been focusing on a lot of television lately.  I haven't forgotten about the sort of posts I usually do and will be doing my best to get more of them back on the blog, especially once the holidays are over and I've got a bit more time on my hands.

Anyway, I've got an awesome story for you today.

Murphy, a 140 pound full-blooded Newfoundland dog is a true hero tonight after helping to save his 95 year-old neighbor.  The neighbor had apparently fallen in her garage and was in need of help.  Murphy knew something was wrong even though his owners did not.  He barked and caused a ruckus so that his owner, Stephanie Goese of Roseville, Minnesota took a look to see what was the matter.  Stephanie was able to get her neighbor indoors and make sure she was OK (Stephanie is a nurse).

News stories like this just have a way of making you smile, don't they?  And isn't Murphy the most adorable big guy you've ever seen?

You can watch a video of the news story courtesy of the MSNBC.com video player here:

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.20 "Atonement"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Twenty, Atonement
Original Air Date:  November 17, 2010


Andrew Hope is found dead in a small, sparsely furnished house behind a church.  Andrew was a good Samaritan that helped those in need and was loved by everyone he came in contact with.  The case takes a twist when they learn that Andrew Hope isn't the good man everyone thought he was.  Meanwhile, Stanley Wolfe has trouble of his own when his daughter hits a parked car, doesn't leave a note then tries to cover the accident up.

Hope was taped to a chair and shot four times some twenty-four hours previous.  He was looking at his killer when the fatal shot to his forehead was fired as powder burns were found in his eyes.  Allie and Rhys are on scene and find no personal information for Hope on scene just one change of clothes and his Bible.  Matt arrives and is briefed on the case and is going to have forensics run his prints for a positive identification while Allie and Rhys consult missing persons.

Monday, November 15, 2010

AUS Television: Offspring, Episode 1.11

OffspringSeries One, Episode Eleven
Original Air Date:  November 14, 2010


Nina and Alice Havel have their meeting.  Nina and Mick lament over telling Billie about the one night they spent together.  Cherie finally comes clean about Ray to Sam but he has a surprise for her of his own.  Billie learns the truth about Nina and Mick.

Nina is working herself up to calling Alice Havel and she's imagining all the different ways the conversation could happen.  She's even got her own cheering section in her mind giving her the courage to pick up the phone.  The first time Nina calls in her head, Alice calls the meeting off, the second time, she calls her spineless.  When Nina really calls, Alice is pleasant and gives Nina a date and place where she thinks they could meet and tells her she hasn't told Chris about them meeting because he's had a lot on his mind.  Nina wants to call the meeting off but she can't seem to get the words in to do so thus causing the cheering section to express their displeasure with her handling of the matter.

Billie is still upset over everything that happened with Stacy and the baby.  She spends time at work thinking about it and is short with callers to the agency.  She viciously cleans the office windows while Cherie, who has dropped by with Ray, informs her she's feeling terrible because she still hasn't told Fireman Sam about Ray.  After listening to Cherie for a few seconds, Billie spits out "Cherie, life IS pain.  Deal with it!" and goes back inside, throws a few things into her purse and leaves. 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.8, "In Re: Tony Mejia"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Eight, In Re: Tony Mejia
Original Air Date:  November 12, 2010 (Canada), November 13, 2010 (US)


Cyrus is unhappy with a candidate for the Supreme Court seat he vacated.  The team must go to Mexico to ask for the extradition of a man who murdered a young woman in Los Angeles.  The extradition is denied but the man is found guilty and ordered to prison in Mexico.  However, when he is released unexpectedly, the father of the young woman shoots and kills his daughters killer and must stand trial in Mexico for his crime.  Mereta is in some legal trouble of her own and it is up to Al to get her out of it.

Cyrus feels the candidate for his replacement, Sean Ryan, isn't the right candidate.  Cyrus was a prosecutor in Cook County when Ryan was a judge and everyone knew Ryan was on the take.  Cyrus can't give his friend Sherry Lemko proof that Ryan's decisions were for sale but he gives her the name of Fred Shervin who does.  She will check it out in exchange for a favor.  Mexico is refusing to extradite a man who murdered a kindergarten teacher, Lisa Mejia, in Los Angeles.  He needs to go to Mexico and convince them to send the man back to the United States.

Cyrus asks Eddie to get him all motions filed by the U.S. Government to extradite the murderer back to California as well as the Mexican response.  Mereta gets a call from someone named "Tim" at work and there is apparently a problem she doesn't want to talk about.  Lucinda and Eddie place bets if "Tim" is really her brother as she claims or her lover.

Al and Cyrus speak with Lisa's father, Tony Mejia, and he tells them about the new boyfriend in her life, Julio Trujilo.  She had wanted to break up but he didn't.  Her father tells them the LAPD found DNA evidence that he was responsible for her death but he was gone when they went to arrest him.  He is in custody in Mexico but, without pressure from the U.S. government, he will be let go.  He begs them to bring him back.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.2 "R vs. Marx"

Rake
Season One, Episode Two, R vs. Marx
Original Air Date:  November 11, 2010


Cleave's problems just never end.  Mick and Vanessa make him a deal to pay what he owes them.  His nemesis, David Potter, becomes a hero after wrestling with a gunman after having been shot by him.  His son, Fuzz, wants to use his flat as a meeting place with his girlfriend after school so his mother won't know about their relationship.  He learns that Missy has been seeing David Potter.  Cleave and Barney take the case of Lucy Marx, a woman who believes her daughter was innocent of the murder she was convicted of.  Lucy is charged with tampering with a juror after the trial and she actually wants to go to jail.  But, will the affair she starts up with Cleave cause problems for them both?

Mick and Vanessa (Haiha Le), two people Cleave owe a great deal of gambling money to, have a sit down with him to discuss payment arrangements.  They have rolled their two debts into one for him to make things easier.  They have agreed on an interest rate of 29% compounded weekly that is an exclusive just for him.  However, that stellar rate comes with a confidentiality clause.  If he tells anyone, that beautiful rate will "literally become crippling interest". 

After leaving the meeting with Mick and Vanessa, Cleave runs across Scarlett.  They go back to his place where they talk for a little while before he tells her to bugger off back to her husband and kids.  Scarlett has pretty much decided she wants to end her marriage which doesn't please Cleave too much.  Barney arrives at Cleave's flat leading Scarlett to hide out in the bathroom so he won't know she was there (as she was supposed to be at her sisters).  Barney confides in Cleave that he feels something is wrong with Scarlett.  He even checked on her at her sisters but was told she'd already left but he suspected she'd never been there.  Barney worries his wife has found another man and acknowledges the marriage has been in a rut.  Scarlett hears every word he says from where she is hiding. 

Friday, November 12, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.9 "Katerina"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.9, Katerina
Original Air Date:  November 11, 2010


Katherine's past becomes clear when she tells Elena the story of how she became a vampire and why.  The involvement Trevor had with Katherine is revealed.  Rose and Damon travel to Richmond to meet the man who contacted Elijah for Rose.  Elijah is back and causing trouble again.  Two new faces show up in Mystic Falls.

In Bulgaria in 1490 a child is being born.  Katerina is the mother and the child is taken from her by her father moments after it is born, before she can even hold it just once.

After receiving a call from Stefan, Elena arrives at the Salvatore home.  Damon leads her in to where Stefan is waiting with Rose.  She tells them about Klaus, who is known to be the oldest of the vampires.  They believe Elijah to be dead.  Stefan suggests Klaus may not even be real but Rose is convinced he is.  Elena gets up to leave for school and, when Stefan tells her to wait while he grabs his stuff she tells him it's OK because she knows where school is.

Jeremy asks Bonnie to hang out at the Mystic Grill later and play a game of pool.  When she asks why because he's never asked her to play pool before he says he thought it would be fun.  Bonnie agrees to go but she feels a little strange because he is Elena's brother.  While they are talking, a new student named Luka (Bryton James) asks Jeremy for directions to the office.  Bonnie and Luka share a look with one another that Jeremy doesn't miss and he suggests Luka follow him since he's headed toward the office.

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.19 "Ties that Bind"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Nineteen, Ties That Bind
Original Air Date:  November 10, 2010


Liam Phillips (Karl Burnett) is shot in the Magistrates office while waiting for his solicitor to finish brokering a deal.  Did the union kill Phillips or was it a security guard at the court?  The case becomes intensely personal for Duncan, but not for the reasons everyone assumes.

Nick and Duncan speak with Tom Engleton, the guard who responded after the shots were heard at the Magistrates Office.  While going downstairs to speak with him, they pass Liam's solicitor, Grace Barlow, who is talking with with Rhys.  She and Duncan catch one anothers eye as they pass.  Engleton is certain that it is impossible for someone to get a gun into the building because of the strict security they have.  All of the "unsecure" areas are controlled by numeric keypads.  The codes are randomly generated by computer every couple of weeks.  Only Engleton and his staff have access to the codes.  While they are looking at the codes in Engleton's office, Rhys enters and tells them Barlow feels she knows who killed him.

Nick and Duncan speak with Barlow back at the office and she tells them why Liam was in trouble.  He was charged with the invasion of Parnell Construction Company and he and an unknown associate trashed the office using a baseball bat and iron bar.  One of the female staff was bashed during the invasion leaving her with permanent brain damage.  While Liam didn't give her the name of his associate, she gives Nick and Duncan the name Dennis Monk.  He sees himself as the union enforcer and is a thug. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

AUS Television: Rake, Episode 1.1 "R vs. Murray"

Rake
Season One, Episode One, R vs. Murray
Original Air Date:  November 4, 2010


Cleaver Greene is upset when his favorite call girl, Missy, inexplicably leaves the brothel where she works without telling him.  His best friend's wife drops a bombshell on him that she wants to leave her husband.  He has tax problems that are constantly dogging him.  To top it all off, he takes a new case, one that everyone (well, everyone except Cleve) finds strange and rather disgusting:  defending a key government economic advisor Professor Graham Murray who just so happened to eat someone over the course of three days after finding him on the Internet.

Rake is a new comedy/drama on the Australian ABC1.  The first season of the series will be delivered in eight, one-hour episodes.  It follows the escapades of Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh).  Greene is an attorney who doesn't exactly live the typical attorney lifestyle.  He has a passion for beautiful women, drinking, wild behavior and generally living life to the fullest.  His ex-wife, Wendy (Caroline Brazier) is a psychiatrist who Cleave often goes to when he's having problems to get a "freebie analysis".  Cleave and Wendy have a teenage son, Fuzz (Keegan Joyce), who, in many ways, appears to be following in his fathers footsteps.  Cleave has a favorite call girl that he likes to patronize, Missy (Adrienne Pickering).  She isn't only his favorite method of distraction but is also a friend and confidant.  David Potter (Matt Day), who Cleave has a penchant for calling "Harry" (which David doesn't like), is going after Cleave for tax problems that he keeps ducking.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.7, "In RE: Kelvin Jones"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Seven, In RE:  Kelvin Jones
Original Air Date:  November 5, 2010 (Canada), November 6, 2010 (U.S.)


A young, black honor student is killed by a gunman at the Cyrus Garza School in Alabama.  The school is located in a district where predominately black schools do not receive the funding that white schools do.  Cyrus, wanting the school that bears his name, to protect each and every student attending it, files a wrongful death suit against the district and the school.  When that fails to achieve what he wants, Cyrus amends the action to include a class-action suit against the county.  Meanwhile, the police ask Cyrus and his team what they might know about the death of Ben Kershaw while Eddie questions Lucinda about any involvement she might have had in Kershaw's death.  Lucinda becomes a suspect when the death is changed from suicide to homicide.

An armed man enters the Alabama campus of Cyrus Garza School and fires upon three young men standing in front of a drink machine.  Two of them young men run but the third, an honor student, Kelvin Jones, is killed.  Eddie gets into work after having tried to call Lucinda all night.  He wants to know if she killed Kershaw.  Al and Cyrus interrupt their conversation as they enter the kitchen talking about the shooting at the school.

A police detective calls at the house showing a photograph of Ben Kershaw.  Mereta can't make a positive identification of Kershaw as the man who attacked her in the car.  When the detective leaves, Cyrus asks everyone to give him a minute.  Everyone, that is, except Lucinda.  Cyrus questions her about Kershaw but Lucinda wants to "plead the fifth".  He lets her off the hook only because he needs to leave for Alabama but assures her they will talk about it once he gets home.

Friday, November 5, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.8 "Rose"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.8, Rose
Original Air Date:  November 4, 2010


Elena was kidnapped by two vampires wanting to exchange her to a more powerful vampire for their freedom.  Damon and Stefan team up to save Elena.  Jeremy and Bonnie stay in Mystic Falls where Bonnie witches a message to Elena that help is on the way.  Caroline and Tyler have a discussion about what they are.  A battle begins between the Salvatore brothers and vampires more powerful than they could have ever imagined.

A clandestine meeting between two men in dark vehicles, a car and an SUV, in a desolate field leads to Elena being moved from the trunk of the car to the back of the SUV.  When the driver of the car is finished, the mysterious driver of the SUV asks him to come closer then kills him and drives away.  He is a vampire!

Jeremy finds that Elena did not sleep in her bed the night before.  Caroline has put two and two together and figured out that Katherine was behind Matt and Sarah's actions and she realizes that Tyler being blamed for Sarah's death will open questions Tyler won't know how to deal with.  Damon, who is at her house listening to her talk about Tyler, urges her not to get too close to him and trust him since a werewolf can kill a vampire.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

AUS Television: City Homicide Possibly in Final Full Season

The future of City Homicide is extremely unclear tonight.  Production will cease on the Australian crime drama, which is in its fourth season, a little later this month.  Tom Worner, director of programming for the Seven Network confirmed the cessation of production in October.

The show isn't completely dead as a decision on the final fate of the series has been delayed until 2011.  However, production being ceased certainly doesn't look good.

The series will continue to air throughout 2010 and in 2011 a six-part mini-series, City Homicide:  No Greater Honour will air.  After that airing, Seven will make a final decision on the fate of the entire series. 

No Greater Honour is a spin-off of the series and will guest star Claire Van Der Boom, Marcus Graham, John Howard and Graeme Blundell.  The mini-series was written by John Hugginson and John Banas, the driving forces behind City Homicide.

Struggling ratings in the multi-channel environment is being blamed for the move to end City Homicide.

Update:  After reading several different articles, I guess what the mini-series airing next year will be is the final 6 episodes from season four.  The actors listed above are the guest stars and our favorites will be there.   (Regardless, I'm still upset that City Homicide is ending.)

For more information:  Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Telegraph.

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.18 "Killer Moves"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Eighteen, Killer Moves
Original Air Date:  November 3, 2010


Homicide is called in to investigate what appears to be a tragic traffic accident where a young woman is killed when she is struck by a vehicle while she is jogging.  The case becomes complicated when Ronnie (Genevieve Morris) reveals that the man in the car, Lachlan Fraser, was dead, very dead, hours before the accident.  Rhys helps Allie try and get in touch with her past.

Allie and Duncan are called in to investigate the case but Matt re-assigns it to Nick and Jennifer.  When Allie and Duncan both protest, Matt relents and allows them to speak to the dead man's wife and sends Nick and Jennifer to help with the street canvass.  Allie questions him about the missing I.D. of the young woman and Matt orders one of them to get on that.

At the morgue, Fraser's wife, Danielle, identifies his body.  While they are giving his wife some privacy to say goodbye to her husband, Ronnie states the man had a stroke and there was major lividity in his back and in the backs of his legs indicating he was on his back for a while before he was put into the car.  Time of death was approximately 10 p.m. the night before.  There was also a bone spur found in his neck leading them to believe he was murdered and didn't die of natural causes.

Monday, November 1, 2010

AUS Television: Offspring, Episode 1.10

Offspring
Series One, Episode Ten
Original Air Date:  October 31, 2010


Stacy is back and, this time, she's in the hospital because her blood pressure is high and she's ready to give birth.  She wants Billie to be her support person.  Cherie and her fireman friend meet and have a date.  Nina focuses on why Chris hasn't told Alice about her.  Jimmy goes in for his drug trial and gets more than he bargained for, both good and bad.  Chris finally tells Alice about Nina but how will Alice take the news?


Nina has a small fender bender while trying to parallel park (she hits the rather old and run down car behind her).  She leaves a note in true Nina style, fantasizing the entire time and noting that she's leaving the note because she's a good person.  As she is walking away, she has to stop and think if she really IS a good person because, after all, she IS obsessed with a married man.

Kim and Zara watch Nina (and talk about her, of course) as she is having trouble deciding which way to go at work.  Kim takes Nina into a room and talks to her about her relationship with Chris.  Kim makes a "pro's" and "con's" table on a whiteboard (which is very funny) to help Nina in her decision making.  Dr. Clegg comes into the room to take part in the "whiteboard analysis" as he calls it, but Nina erases the table and leaves the room before he can add his two cents worth in.

She and Chris meet in the hall and go to talk.  She tells him she cannot be the "other woman".  Chris insists she could never be the "other woman" because he is a separated man and not a married man.  She gets the impression that he hasn't even told Alice anything about her.

Friday, October 29, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.4 "Masquerade"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.7, Masquerade
Original Air Date:  October 28, 2010


The night of the Lockwood masquerade ball has arrived and it's also the night when Stefan, Damon and their group of friends have chosen to battle Katherine.  Everything goes according to plan until they learn that they aren't the only one with a witch on their side and that the battle with Katherine will affect Elena more than they figured it would.  Will having Katherine safely sealed away protect everyone or is Elena still in grave danger?  Life has changed for Tyler Lockwood.  Bonnie learns that she isn't alone as a Bennett witch.

Caroline tells Stefan and Damon about an encounter she had with Katherine that day while she was at the Mystic Grill to "quasi stalk Matt".  While in the ladies room, Katherine, posing as Elena, walks in and asks if she is alright.  Caroline knows it is Katherine and, when she tries to leave, Katherine tells Caroline to deliver a message to Damon and Stefan:  "I want the moonstone or I will rip this town apart until it rains blood.  Tonight, at the masquerade ball".  Damon and Stefan know Katherine was caught off guard by Mason's death.  Damon vows that he will kill Katherine at the ball but Stefan says Damon will not be the one to kill her, he will be.

Matt, Elena and Jeremy bring Jenna home from the hospital.  Jenna believes she walked into a knife rather than intentionally inflicted the wound on herself.  Jeremy questions Elena about what they are going to do about Katherine.  When she says nothing, he replies that they can't let her get away with trying to kill Jenna.  Elena feels convinced that because she broke up with Stefan everything will be fine with Katherine.  Jeremy insists she is being naive. 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.17 "Gut Instinct"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Seventeen, Gut Instinct
Original Air Date:  October 27, 2010


A jewelery store owner and his wife are awakened by two masked men.  While one takes the husband, Isaac Goldberg, to his store to rob it, the other stays at their home with his wife, Gisella.  She is found murdered by her sister, Ruth Engleman, who arrives for a planned trip to the gym.  The case turns out looking like an inside job gone wrong.  When Bernice Waverley asks Detective Sergeant Peter Copeland to assist with the investigation, the trouble begins.

Matt arrives at work early to find Rhys already there hoping to get caught up on some work while everything is quiet.  However, a call takes the two out of the office.  Jennifer and Nick, who have rekindled their relationship, are called in just after 6:30 in the morning.

With information provided by Ruth Engleman, they learn that Isaac is probably at his store.  Matt dispatches Rhys and Nick to find him.  They find him tied to the staircase of his shop with tape over his mouth and wanting to know about his wife.

Monday, October 25, 2010

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.6, "In RE: Tyler Banks"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Six, In RE:  Tyler Banks
Original Air Date:  October 22, 2010 (Canada) & October 23, 2010 (United States)

Garza and his team head to Miami to champion the cause of a fourteen year-old boy who will die in two weeks if he doesn't get a liver transplant.  Because he is in foster care, the hospital is removing the boy from the top of the transplant list.  Things get even more complicated when someone steps up to adopt Tyler but the adoption is denied because the candidate is gay.  Someone from Lucinda's past returns raising even more questions about her.

Garza and Claire arrive at an event as a massive protest is happening.  He is approached by Theresa Cain from Children's Light and informed the protest is against hospitals for removing sick children off organ transplant lists simply because they are in foster care.  Garza gives Theresa the ride up fifteen floors in the elevator to make her case to him.  Theresa shows Garza and Claire a video of a young man, Tyler Banks, who is number one on Greater Miami's waiting list for a new liver.  Tyler will not receive it because he is also in foster care.  Fourteen year-old Tyler will die in two weeks time without the liver.

Eddie gives his girlfriend Bethany (Bitsie Tulloch) a tour of Garza's house where he works and she is none too impressed.  She is certain he can't be happy there and wants to help him.  Her firm is throwing a party that weekend for the head of the litigation team who is retiring. 

AUS Television: Offspring, Episode 1.9

Offspring
Series One, Episode Nine
Original Air Date:  October 24, 2010


Alice, Chris' absent wife arrives to see him.  Billie learns that her decision to have Stacy stay with Mick was a bad choice.  Stacy's actions lead Billie to do something that shows how much she still cares for Mick.  Nina makes some decisions of her own.  Cherie has a day for herself.

We pick up exactly where we left off last week with Nina coming to work and Kim stopping her to tell her about Chris' wife being there, then Chris seeing her.

Nina envisions Chris walking to Alice and kissing her passionately while everyone looking on claps wildly in approval as she is standing there, her heart breaking.  She decides to think of something else.  That something else:  Chris introducing the two women then asking "so, who's up for a three way?".  Dr. Clegg immediately pipes up "ME!" and Chris shoots him down. Clegg then offers to hold the camera, then the leash.  Nina then wonders "what can you hope for at a time like this?".  Kim goes into labor screaming "Nina!  My baby's coming early!" and chaos ensues. 

Friday, October 22, 2010

UK Television: Law & Order: UK, Episode 3.7 "Anonymous"

Law & Order:  UK
Season Three, Episode Seven, Anonymous
Anonymous, Original Air Date:  October 21, 2010
Based on Law & Order (US) "Stalker", Season 8, Episode 18 (15th April, 1998)


When a young woman is found to have been thrown down the staircase of the building where she lives, the case takes on a new turn when Brooks and Devlin find e-mails from a cyberstalker in her home.  But when it appears the attack on the stairs might have been faked, things change.  The suspect is sent home and the woman is found dead a week later.  Because of the possibly faked attack, will who Brooks and Devlin believe killed the young woman get away with murder?

A young couple hears a commotion in the flat next to theirs late at night and upon investigating they find the body of a woman, Stephanie Blake (Michelle Bonnard), at the foot of the stairs.  The woman isn't dead but in serious condition.  The question is who hurt Stephanie and how did they get out of the building?

Using a spare key given them by the owner of the building, Maria Golofsky (Eileen Essell), Brooks and Devlin enter her flat and find a notebook full of e-mails addressed to the young woman all signed by "Giovanni".  She had tried blocking him and tracking him by the e-mails continued coming.  She had even changed her e-mail address a half dozen times.  The e-mails are extremely descriptive in a sexual nature and "Giovanni" appears to know every detail of Stephanie's life.  She had reported the e-mails to D.S. Frasier (Sara Woodward) at Northcross C.S.U.  Brooks and Devlin interview her and find out even more details about Stephanie's stalker including threats he had made against her.  Frasier gives them a tip about a prisoner at Ashbridge Prison who wanted Stephanie's new mobile number added to his list of approved numbers.

Shane Morgan (Mark White) had given Stephanie's name as well as number for his list of approved numbers but he claims he made a mistake.  After a little pushing from Devlin, Morgan admits that a bloke named Lowry wanted him to request the number because he was running low on phone credits and wanted to hook up with Stephanie.  Lowry was released from prison the week before.

UK Television: BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Filming a Second Series

Well, I'm just about as happy as happy can be here!

Ever since the first series of Luther ended a few months ago I have been wondering if the BBC One would renew the show for a second series.

Well, folks, wonder no longer.

According to information on the official Luther Facebook site, scripts for a second series are finished and the shooting for the second series has already begun.  There is even a photo of the scripts!  The Facebook posting was dated September 20th and the information given was "Scripts in.  Shoot starts two weeks today."

To read the postings on the Luther Facebook wall.  

To see the photo of the scripts.

BBC one also issued a press release announcing the recommissioning of Luther and the beyond excellent series Sherlock for second series'.  You can read the entire BBC one press release at their web site.

There's all kinds of great television news coming out of the UK right now, isn't there?  I can't wait to see Luther and the diabolical (but so likable) Alice back on the screen!

UK Television: 13 Episodes Commissioned for Law & Order: UK for 2011

It was announced on Monday, 18th October, 2010 that ITV has commissioned another 13 episodes for Law & Order:  UK that will air sometime in 2011.

This is great news for fans of Law & Order:  UK as season three is now complete for the series and there are currently six more episodes waiting to air for season four.  I'm hoping we will get those closer to the end of the year.  They would make a perfect Christmas present, wouldn't they?

You can read the entire press release on the ITV web site.

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.6 "Plan B"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.6, Plan B
Original Air Date:  October 21, 2010


Jeremy wants to help Damon in the fight against Mason and Katherine.  Caroline comes to the rescue when Stefan gets in trouble while trying to find Mason's moonstone.  Damon tries his hand at convincing Mason Lockwood to reveal what Katherine's plans are.  Caroline and her mother have a truly sincere mother/daughter moment.  Katherine steps up her plans in torturing Elena and those she loves.

Elena awakens with Stefan next to her and the two share a kiss when she mentions it wouldn't be good if Katherine found out they were still together.  Katherine has her own distractions, though.  She is spending some quality time with Mason Lockwood at the bed and breakfast she is staying at while in Mystic Falls.  Elena is still giving Stefan a little bit of her blood every day in hopes it will make him stronger as he thinks it will.  Mason promises Katherine he will give her the moonstone that night and Stefan promises Elena that they will get through everything that is happening.

Jeremy goes to the Salvatore house to speak with Damon.  He tells him what Tyler had told him about how the curse needs to be activated, that Tyler isn't a werewolf yet and that Mason is looking for the moonstone.  Jeremy says he knows where the stone is and wants to help.  When asked what Elena would think of his wanting to help Damon realizes Jeremy hasn't said anything to her. 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.16 "Undercover"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Sixteen, Undercover
Original Air Date:  October 20, 2010


Jen and Nick, still undercover, must convince Muhammed Hartono that they can work for him again.  McCallister's plans for Jen and Nick aren't what they appear to be.  When things do not go according to plan, Homicide and SIS must team up to find Hartono's bomb before it is too late.

This weeks episode picks up where last weeks left off:  Nick and Jen are talking in the bedroom of the house they are staying in when masked men burst in.  The masked men aren't underworld figures but two men working with SIS.  McCallister isn't pleased with Jen and Nick's reaction to the masked gunmen.  Nick called Jen by her real name instead of calling her Trish.  McCallister is angry that they aren't handling the situation the way they should.  He orders Radcliffe to take them back to their house. 

One of McCallister's employees gives him photographs of Rhys and Allie going into Waheed's home.  The pictures make it back to Homicide where Waverley questions Matt about them.  Jarvis suggests that Matt's team has gone rogue on him but Stanley steps up for Matt.  Jarvis informs Matt that this incident reflects on Matt as a senior officer.  Matt is clearly extremely angry and assures Waverley he will be speaking to the team again.

El Camino del Rey 2010 HD: Balance

This amazed me. 

I'll admit, I'm horribly afraid of heights so this is something I could never, never, ever (did I mention never, ever?) do.  Ever.  I'm in awe of people who can do these sorts of things because they have to have nerves of steel, incredible patience and absolutely no fear of anything. 

I think what got me the most was the guy walking on the bare rail. 

I don't know who filmed the video or any other particulars about it and the site linked to from You Tube is in Japanese.  If anyone has any info on this at all, please do post about it in the comments.  I'd love to know more about it!

It's simply amazing.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Los 33 "Trailer"

I think the rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners was extraordinary.  I'm so very happy all 33 men were able to withstand such an ordeal.  I know I could never spend 1 day trapped in a mine, let alone 69, without going absolutely mad!  Bless them and their families for all they have gone through!

But, on the other side of things, we all know that Hollywood will not be able to let this rest.  They will have to find a way to cash in on the ordeal those 33 brave men went through.  In some darkened room at some studio there is an executive hunched over a notepad feverishly making notes of the actors, locations and personnel he wants to make his great "miner epic".

While checking Twitter today, the awesome Stephen Fry tweeted about the following YouTube video.  The uploader, trevino22 did a brilliant job putting this 'trailer' together.

You just know that if there was any way Hollywood could do this, they would.

10,000 Packages of Marijuana Seized on Tijuana/US Border

We are all more than familiar with the ongoing drug war being waged in Mexico and the fact it is spilling over into the southwestern United States.  The news is constantly dotted with headlines about the latest violence to erupt on Mexican soil.

So, it wasn't anything new to read that a shootout took place in Tijuana between members of the drug cartels and law enforcement.  However, it was surprising to read the amount of marijuana that was confiscated following the shootout:  10,000 packages totaling more than 105 tons!  The drugs are worth over $330 million on the Mexican market and as much as twice that if taken across the border and sold in the United States.

Soldiers and police arrested eleven people following the shootout between Tijuana policemen and gunmen in a convoy of seven vehicles.  The drug violence in Mexico has claimed almost 30,000 lives.

For more information and to see a photo of the massive amount of weed confiscated by authorities, you can refer to this article.

Monarch Butterflies Medically Treat Their Offspring

New research has shown that monarch butterflies use medicinal plants, including species of milkweed plants, to treat offspring for diseases even before they hatch.  Some of the milkweed plants the monarch caterpillars feed on produce chardenolides within the systems of the insects.  These chemicals are harmless to the monarch's themselves but toxic to predators even once the monarch's become adults.  Parasites that can invade Monarch caterpillars can stay with the insects even into adulthood and can be passed from infected females to her offspring. 

Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta conducted experiments with monarch caterpillars feeding some on milkweed.  Those exposed to the milkweed had fewer parasite infections and disease.  Researchers also conducted experiments with parasite-infected and uninfected females who had access to milkweed and tropical milkweed.  The infected females laid more eggs on the tropical milkweed (the medicinal plant) while uninfected females gave no preference.

Researchers next plan to work with a wider variety of milkweed and butterflies to expand their studies.

For more information on this fascinating way nature takes care of itself, you can read the MSNBC Technology and Science Article.

Monday, October 18, 2010

US Television, Beast Legends, Episode 1.5 "Wildman of Vietnam"

Beast Legends
Season One, Episode Five, Wildman of Vietnam
Original Air Date:  Thursday, October 7, 2010


Episode five begins with Steve and Francis in southeast Asia to get the ball rolling on the teams research into the Vietnamese Wildman.  Kathryn, Mike and Scott are back home in the Beast Lab researching the origins of the legend.  The Wildman of Vietnam is said to roam the rainforests.  The beast walks like a man, has superhuman strength and an appetite for flesh.  According the Kathryn, the legend has been around for centuries. 

First person accounts of the Wildman of Vietnam have been given by inhabitants of Vietnam as well as by American soldiers who fought on Vietnamese soil during the Vietnam conflict.  One American soldier who was willing to tell the tale of what he witness during his tour of duty is Gary Linderer.  Linderer was stationed in central Vietnam in 1968.  He had been in country for approximately a month before encountering the Wildman.  He was dropped into the jungle by helicopter before dawn.  When the sun came up, he saw the creature.  Linderer recorded his recount of his experience on video.  Linderer describes the creature as being approximately 5'6"-5'10" tall and the eyes were very clear and intelligent looking.  Mike begins constructing their creature by starting with the form of a man.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

AUS Television: Offspring, Episode 1.8

Offspring
Series One, Episode Eight
Original Air Date:  October 17, 2010


Nina's guilt is working overtime over her night with Mick while Chris was in Brisbane.  Mick is coping with the aftermath of his night with Nina and is getting plenty of concern and advice from the Proudman family.  Nina must perform a cesarean on a brain dead woman to try and save the baby.  An old friend of Billie's returns.  Nina reveals the truth to Chris.

Nina is feeling guilty about her night with Mick and wakes up seeing the word "guilty" written everywhere.  She fantasizes Chris sitting in her bedroom talking about how he went away for a few days and she couldn't resist another man.  When she denies it was anything like that, Mick shows up.  Chris and Mick end up having a conversation about how Chris sees Mick as Billie's man because he thinks they're meant for one another (as does Mick). 

At Geraldine's Billie questions Nina as to why she's barely spoken to her or looked at her all morning.  When Geraldine starts pressing Billie about what she is studying and any problems she might have then suggests Billie should have Nina help her, Billie says Nina is too busy having sex to help her.  This draws the curiosity of Geraldine and Jimmy and makes Nina even more uncomfortable than she already is.  Everyone assumes it was Chris Havel Nina was with the night before and when asked, she agrees.  Jimmy mentions that he's taking some food to Mick.  Nina and Billie ask him about in (in stereo!) and he tells them that Mick had an accident last night.  Jimmy took him to the doctor after Mick said he put his hands out to break his fall from a staircase and broke his wrists. 

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.5, "In RE: Tracy Vidalin"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Five, In RE:  Tracy Vidalin
Original Air Date:  October 16, 2010


In the aftermath of a robbery, a policeman is murdered and the daughter of Senator Vidalin is being held as an accomplice to the murder.  Vidalin wants Cyrus and his team to help his daughter prove her innocence.  Is the young girl Cyrus Garza has always known to be sweet and innocent just that or could she really be involved in the murder?  Eddie and Mereta start uncovering details from Lucinda's past.

While Al, Mereta and Eddie are watching Cyrus throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game on television, a call comes in for Garza.  Senator Vidalin's daughter is in trouble and needs his help.  Once he's home from the game, Cyrus and Al go to see Tracy Vidalin (Ashley Rickards) in jail.  Cyrus has known Vidalin for nearly 30 years and, for most of it, considered him a good friend.  Whatever bad points the Senator has, Cyrus thinks his daughter, Tracy, is a good girl.

Tracy tells them about her boyfriend, Lonnie Daws (Michael Stahler), and that he had a gun the night of the incident.  She recounts the evening for them saying the couple was parked figuring out where to get dinner when Lonnie said he had a surprise for her.  He gets out of the car and waits in the car for 10-20 minutes before hearing an alarm go off in an apartment building.  Lonnie runs out yelling for her to drive and he now has a gun.  She panicked and crashed the car after which Lonnie ran from the car and killed a policeman.

Friday, October 15, 2010

US Television: More News on the Fate of NBC's Outlaw

Last week, NBC announced they had suspended production of any further episodes for the new Jimmy Smits legal drama Outlaw.  Currently, eight episodes have been filmed.  NBC said they were going to air all of the remaining episodes in the regular Friday night time slot they had allotted to the show.

Now, NBC has stated they are going to move Outlaw to Saturday nights to air the remaining four episodes and air an expanded Dateline in the Friday night time slot vacated by Outlaw.

I guess the cancellation process for Outlaw is going to be a long, drawn out painful one for fans of the show.  At least we're getting to see the remaining four episodes before finally saying 'goodbye' to the show for good. 

Source:  http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/10/nbc-pulls-outlaw-from-fridays.html

UK Television: Law & Order: UK, Episode 3.6 "Masquerade"

Law & Order:  UK
Season Three, Episode Six, Masquerade
Masquerade, Original Air Date:  October 14, 2010
Based on Law & Order (US) "Admissions", Season 9, Episode 22 (19th May, 1999)


Student Archie Rahman is stabbed in his flat and Brooks and Devlin are left with only one solid clue to follow:  a library book.  The case takes a new twist when the girl who was at his flat claims she killed him in self defense after he raped her.  But is she telling the truth?

Archie didn't do drugs, wasn't a gang member, kept to himself and, by all reports, always had his nose in a book studying.  There was evidence that there had been a woman at Archie's flat but she is nowhere to be found.  Archie's father (Hassani Shapi) insists his son didn't have a girlfriend and focused instead on his schoolwork.  Archie's mother (Sameena Zehra) mentions a former girlfriend, Darla (Suzie McGrath) but they had broke up a few months prior.

A library book is amongst the items of evidence collected in Archie's flat and it leads the detectives to the Waterloo and City College Library.  They learn the book was checked out at eleven o'clock Sunday by Rebecca Anderson (Charlene McKenna).  Rebecca reluctantly provides them with the information that she was in the library with her friend, Sally Douglas (Kimberly Nixon) but that she doesn't know Archie Rahman.  Both Rebecca and Sally claim they were working in the library until it closed at six.  On a hunch, Devlin does a bit of checking and finds the library closes at midday contradicting the girls' stories.  When confronted with the truth about the time the library closes, Sally says the two girls went to the Region room, carried on with their work then went home.  She is studying philosophy and art history at university on her way to a lecture on Ancient Arts of Persia and the Subcontinent, which just so happens to be the subject of the library book.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.15 "Reunion"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Fifteen, Reunion
Original Air Date:  October 13, 2010

An entire family (mum, dad and two children) are murdered in their home.  The father has a connection to both Jennifer Maplethorpe and Nick Buchanan.  The case quickly becomes embroiled in politics and secrecy when Jen and Nick learn the Secret Intelligence Service is involved and it changes their lives drastically by placing them in danger.

All of the murders were execution style causing Nick to note that it had to be a professional job.  At the scene, Nick and Jennifer both recognize one of the victims, Abdul Supomo.  Jennifer wants to tell Stanley Wolfe but the situation is complicated.  As they sit in their car talking about the murders and what they know, a man in a black SUV is taking pictures of them.

At headquarters, the briefing yields that the family was apparently model citizens.  The parents were immigrants and their children were born in Australia.  Stanley Wolfe takes charge of the case given its nature and delegates tasks to the team.  He places Jennifer and Nick in the position of lead detectives.

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Begins Airing in America

The psychological drama Luther will begin airing in the United States on BBC America at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  The episode will be followed by Luther:  Inside Look - Episode 1.  This is "an exclusive behind the scenes look at tonights episode of Luther".

If you miss episode 1 this Sunday, don't worry!  It will be aired again:

Monday, October 18, 2010:
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.m., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Thursday, October 21, 2010:
9:00 P.M., Episode 1
10:15 P.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Friday, October 22, 2010:
12:00 A.M., Episode 1
1:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

AUS Television: City Homicide "Lightens Up"

Noni Hazlehurst who portrays Detective Superintendent Bernice Waverley on City Homicide was recently interviewed by David Knox, a freelance tv.com writer.  In the interview, Ms. Hazlehurst revealed some very interesting tidbits for the remainder of the crime drama's fourth season.

The series will be focusing a tad more on the lives of the characters while still delivering the same gripping drama fans have come to love the last four years.  The tone of the show will lighten subtly as a bit of humor is injected into the storylines.  Don't think the show will become a comedy, because it won't.  It isn't to trivialize the seriousness of the cases the detectives deal with but to show the coping methods they use to deal with the grisly work they do day in and day out.

A six-party storyline will end the current season (which is scheduled to run 21 episodes) and Richard Jasek has got on board as a new executive producer.

You can read the full article at tv.com.

Monday, October 11, 2010

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.4, "In RE: Curtis Farwell"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Four, In RE:  Curtis Farwell
Original Air Date:  October 8, 2010

Cyrus and his team take the case of Curtis Farwell, a man who was seriously injured when the car he was driving malfunctioned.  The accident was one of eight similar accidents involving the same make and model of car.  Four of the accidents were fatal.  Claire wants Cyrus to help her raise money for Senator Vidalin's favorite charity to prevent him from voting against the interests of her biggest clients.  The mysterious man Cyrus noticed watching him in the first episode returns.

Cyrus appears on an episode of Larry King Live (yes, Larry King made a cameo) opposed by Patty Friedman, a reporter from a political web site.  The subject of the show is why Garza quit the Supreme Court.  Cyrus treats the appearance as a chance to not only make it known he isn't a turncoat (except for turning his back on a justice system that doesn't always do justice) but to inject a bit of his sense of humor into the interview. 

Just as Cyrus is getting ready to enjoy a pleasant night with Miss Friedman, Claire calls.  Senator Vidalin is threatening to vote against the interests of her biggest clients unless she dumps Cyrus from her firm.  Her solution:  raise a boatload of money for Vidalin's favorite charity.  By time Cyrus is finished talking to Claire, Patty has fallen asleep putting a damper on the festivities.  He turns on the television and watches a news story about a series of accidents involving the Jupiter coupe. 

Friday, October 8, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.5 "Kill or Be Killed"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.5, Kill or Be Killed
Original Air Date:  October 7, 2010


It is revealed how the Lockwood Curse was triggered for Mason.  Damon and Stefan's secret is revealed to Liz Forbes.  Liz learns her daughter's shocking secret.  Stefan and Elena start down a dangerous road in the fight against Katherine.  It's revealed that Mason has a secret accomplice.

Our story starts off with Mason telling Tyler about an event that happened one year ago in Emerald Coast, Florida.  Mason Lockwood is leaving a bar after having a few beers and is followed out by someone who is, or was, a friend, Jimmy.  He confronts Mason telling him he knows about him and Marla.  The two men start to fight and Mason takes some pretty good hits.  Mason slams him to the pavement and Jimmy hits his head, killing him.  The Lockwood Curse kicks into effect almost instantaneously for Mason when Jimmy dies.  He warns Tyler that he has to be extremely careful so that he won't have a lifetime of living with the curse.

Tyler had apparently made a deal with Mason that if he told him how the curse became active for him he would give him the moonstone.  Tyler opens the safe in his father's study and Mason rifles through it but doesn't find the moonstone because, as we all know, Tyler has already taken it.  Tyler is blatantly lying to Mason and keeping the stone from him.  He wants to know why it is so important. 

UK Television: Law & Order: UK, Episode 3.5 "Survivor"

Law & Order:  UK
Season Three, Episode Five, Survivor
Survivor, Original Air Date:  October 7, 2010
Based on Law & Order (US) "Punk", Season 9, Episode 8 (25th November, 1998)


Two children find the body of a dead man, Charlie Tyner, who was a prison officer.  The investigation takes a new lead when they find out Tyner was dealing heroin.  When they are able to tie Tyner to a drug dealer they've been trying to catch for some time, they need the help of a woman in the prison where Tyner was an officer.  But getting that help isn't going to be easy.

The kids who find the body are themselves playing with a gun they found in the rubbish bin.  Turns out, the gun was the weapon used in the murder.  No identification is found with the body but the man is later ID'd as a prison officer named Charlie Tyner.  He had worked for 18 years at the same job but suddenly was promoted six months ago.

Brooks and Devlin go to Tyner's new assignment at Cold Norton Prison to learn more about him.  Charlie is described by his boss as having been "the best" officer.  He even saved a woman who tried to hang herself last week.  He took it personally when one of the inmates he supervised tried to self harm.  While he didn't have any problems at Cold Norton, he did have a run-in with a male prisoner at Ashbridge, Ellis Bevin (Celyn Jones) who has been out of prison for two days. 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Postal Union Election Delayed Because Ballots Were LOST IN THE MAIL

I'm not one who reads or watches Fox News but when I saw the link to this article I had to read it.

For anyone who has ever had a problem with the post, this will make you feel so much better.  Almost enough to make you feel like the universe has somehow righted some of the postal wrongs we've all suffered through one time or another.

The American Postal Workers Union recently had to extend the deadline for their internal election after thousands of ballots were lost in the mail.  Ballots were originally going to be counted this weekend in Washington D.C., but the deadline for submitting a ballot has been extended to October 14, 2010.

Now, tell me you didn't read this article and laugh out loud.  I certainly know I did.  Next time the post loses your letter to Aunt Martha, you can at least feel a little better about it knowing they lose their own mail, too.

Source:  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/07/postal-union-election-delayed-ballots-lost-mail/?test=latestnews

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.14 "Twilight Zone"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Fourteen, Twilight Zone
Original Air Date:  October 6, 2010


An elderly man is pushed down the stairs in his wheelchair at the retirement home where he lives.  The suspects include his son, his fiance, her daughter, the nursing home manager and a resident who disliked the victim.  Meanwhile, a bit of mystery surfaces regarding Jen and Nick.

When Matt and Allie interview some of the residents of the retirement home they come to realize that life at this retirement home is more than meets the eye.  The victims fiance, Posy Pollard, takes quite the liking to Matt and does a fair bit of flirting with him while Allie speaks with Peter Marsh, a man who didn't get along with Branco.

The autopsy reveals Branco was still alive after the fall and his killer followed him down the stairs and kicked his head with a heavy-toed boot.

There is absolutely no love lost between Branco and his son, Andrew.  Andrew claims the hatred between the two was mutual.  He blames Posy for his fathers death saying she must have been after his money.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

US Television: Sexy New "Conan" Promo

I love Conan O'Brien.  Love everything about him.  He's an awesomely funny guy as well as being an all-round good guy to boot.  I'm most certainly on Team Coco!

When I saw this new promo for his TBS show "Conan" I laughed until I had tears in my eyes.

Conan washes his desk to Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar on Me and gets all sexy for us to promote his new show. 

WARNING:  Viewer discretion is advised.  This clip might be too sexy for some to handle.  View at your own risk!!!  Remember, you've been warned!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

US Television, Beast Legends, Episode 1.4 "Winged Lion"

Beast Legends
Season One, Episode Four, Winged Lion
Original Air Date:  Thursday, September 30, 2010


In this weeks episode, the team researches and creates the winged lion, or as it is also known, the griffin.

Steve and Francis begin in Germany where they are searching for the bones while the rest of the team is at home in the lab researching the griffin legends.

The Griffin can be traced back even farther than Greek legends to Mesopotamia onward to the Mongolian area of Central Asia.  Scott suggests that they break the project into two parts.  Since there is an eagle in the front and a lion in the back, he suggests starting with a cave lion.  Currently, there aren't lions in Mongolia but there were cave lions that went into extinction 10,000 years ago. 

Steve and Francis are looking for the bones of a cave lion found in Zoolithen Cave in Burggaillenreuth, Germany.  They enter a deep cave protected by scientists for the valuable information contained within it.  Dr. Cajus G. Diedrich takes them into the dark and dangerous cave.  They want to see the bones to help determine the size of their griffin.  Only 1% of the bones found in the cave were lion bones.  They find cave bear bones but must continue down through dark and tight crevices to reach the few precious lion bones the cave contains.  They turn off their torches and the cave is literally pitch black.  Steve describes a scenario of how it might have been for the sleeping bears when the lions came to prey upon them.  Francis takes some time to make some amazing drawings of the bears and lions but he still would like to get the scale of lion to human. 

AUS Television: Offspring, Episode 1.7

Offspring
Series One, Episode Seven
Original Air Date:  October 3, 2010


Chris leaves for Brisbane to check on the lead relating to his missing wife, Alice.  Something great happens for Mick with his music.  Darcy and Billie meet Cherie's adoptive father, the ultra-religious Gareth.  Bad telephone connections and disconnections lead to a massive break down in communication between Nina and Chris with disastrous results.

Chris makes preparations at work for his absence before leaving for Brisbane.  He takes Nina aside to apologize again for everything and to say goodbye.  He will be gone a week and Nina wonders to herself "what's the etiquette for saying farewell to a man you almost had sex with on the occasion of his search for his missing wife?".  That's a question we've all pondered at least once, right?  No?  I don't think so, either.  They share a quick kiss before she ushers him off so he won't miss his plane.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

US Television: Law & Order: Los Angeles, Episode 1.1 "Hollywood"

Law & Order:  Los Angeles
Season One, Episode One, Hollywood
Original Air Date:  September 29, 2010


Usually, when I do a blog post about a show I start off with a short description of the episode then go into a more in-depth description with perhaps a few comments of my own thrown in (which I like to keep to a bare minimum if possible).  This post will not be following that formula.

I have to start off by saying that I am a massive fan of the entire Law & Order franchise.  I remember watching the very first show that aired on September 13, 1990 and being blown away by its brilliance.  Even now, I can watch that show on DVD and find it just as good after having seen it at least several dozen or more times as I did that very first time.  When Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit and Law & Order:  Criminal Intent came along, I was (and still am) right there for each and every episode.  I loved the short-lived Law & Order:  Trial By Jury.  Any chance to see the legendary Jerry Orbach in action was a pure pleasure.  In 2009, Law & Order went across the pond to England for Law & Order:  UK.  With an amazing cast and shows based on episodes of the original Law & Order series, L&O UK was a fast favorite of mine.

Like all die-hard Law & Order fans, I was heartbroken when NBC made the choice to cancel the flagship of the Law & Order series after two decades.  With Criminal Intent getting ready to end its run that would have left us with just Special Victims Unit and, for those able to view it, Law & Order:  UK.  Then came news that Law & Order:  Los Angeles was in the works and would be in our living rooms in the fall of 2010.  "If I can't have one, I'll take the other", I thought.

Sunday Funnies: Bruce & Jenny

Bruce and Jenny are only 10 years old, but they know they are in love.  One day they decide that they want to get married, so Bruce goes to Jenny's father to ask him for her hand.   He bravely walks up to her father and says, "Mr. Smith, me and Jenny are in love and I want to ask you for her hand in marriage."

Thinking that this was just the cutest thing, Mr. Smith replied:  "Well Bruce, you are only 10.  Where will you two live?"

Without even taking a moment to think about it, Bruce replied:  "In Jenny's room. It's bigger than mine and we can both fit there nicely."

Still thinking this is just adorable Mr. Smith says with a huge grin, "Okay, then how will you live? You're not old enough to get a job. You'll need to support Jenny."

Again, Bruce instantly replies:  "Our allowance, Jenny makes five bucks a week and I make 10 bucks a week. That's about 60 bucks a month, so that should do us just fine."

Mr. Smith is impressed that Bruce has put so much thought into this.   "Well Bruce, it seems like you have everything figured out.  I just have one more question. What will you do if the two of you should have little children of your own?"

Bruce just shrugs his shoulders and says, "Well, we've been lucky so far."

Mr. Smith no longer thinks Bruce is just the cutest little thing.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

US Television: Outlaw, Episode 1.3, "In RE: Jessica Davis"

Outlaw
Season One, Episode Three, In RE:  Jessica Davis
Original Air Date:  October 1, 2010


Garza's bookie, Doc, surprises him with a nighttime visit.  Cyrus and his team take the case of a Baltimore mother who left her child in her car resulting in the child's death.  Meanwhile, Eddie and Lucinda work the case of one of Al's former clients, Desdemona. 

Doc and an extremely large and intimidating man, Tiny, awaken Cyrus in the middle of the night.  Doc wants his money and gives Cyrus twenty-four hours.  The next morning, Cyrus asks his boss for an advance of $200,000.  She ends up agreeing to give him the money after letting him know that her boyfriend asked her to marry him and she obviously said 'yes'.

Mereta presents Cyrus with a newspaper about the case of a woman in Baltimore who forgot her child in her car resulting in the child's death.  Cyrus, Al and Eddie all notice a story about a sports player, Ray Lewis, injured in his bathtub over the baby story shocking Mereta and Lucinda.  The case is interesting to Cyrus and the team because of similar cases in other cities and states that do not get prosecuted.  Some parents are prosecuted for the deaths, others not.  Cyrus' team is drafting a motion to dismiss the Davis case.

In Baltimore, Cyrus and Al speak with the district attorney prosecuting the case.  They want the case dismissed on equal protection.  The D.A. insists the case will not be thrown out on a "technicality".  When Cyrus asks him if he really wants to go after a mom who is stricken with grief, the D.A. sort of laughs it off asking if they have even met their client, which they haven't.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

US Television: Vampire Diaries, Episode 2.4 "Memory Lane"

Vampire Diaries
Season Two, Episode 2.4, Memory Lane
Original Air Date:  September 30, 2010


Katherine reveals secrets from 1864 to Stefan that he didn't know.  Jenna holds a barbecue that Damon uses as a chance to prove Mason Lockwood is a werewolf.  Caroline puts ideas into Elena's head about Stefan's concerns for Elena.  Katherine gives Stefan an ultimatum about his relationship with Elena.

Stefan has a nightmare where he is in 1864 at a party at the Lockwood Mansion with Katherine.  A jealous Damon looks on as they dance until Katherine points out that Damon has found someone else to spend his time with.  Stefan looks over and sees it is Elena.  As Damon and Elena leave, Stefan runs after them and ends up in the Mystic Grill watching Damon and Elena play pool together.  Katherine tells Stefan that it hurts to see Elena with Damon and now Stefan knows how she feels and that he loved her once and he will again.  Stefan awakens holding Katherine. 

Damon is going to be attending Jenna's barbecue much to the surprise of Elena.  Actually, the barbecue was his idea and he is using it as a means to get to know Mason Lockwood better and prove he is a werewolf. 

UK Television: Law & Order: UK, Episode 3.4 "Confession"

Law & Order:  UK
Season Three, Episode Four, Confession
Confession, Original Air Date:  September 30, 2010
Based on Law & Order (US) "Bad Faith", Season 5, Episode 20 (26th April, 1995)


A police officer is found shot in a park and Brooks and Devlin are called in.  The case is extremely personal to Devlin as the officer was his good friend.  The investigation soon begins to focus on the former parish priest of both Devlin and his friend.

Pete Garvey, the deceased officer, wasn't working the night before despite leaving a note for his wife that he was working late.  He had also illegally removed a firearm the property store and the gun wasn't found at the crime scene.  A courier saw two men arguing outside the park.

A question is raised as to whether or not Pete was a dirty cop.  Devlin insists Pete was straight as a string but Brooks states that there are only two reasons someone goes to a meeting armed:  to protect himself or to kill the other person.  Both Brooks and Chandler worry that Matt Devlin might be too close to the case.  Chandler orders them to go through Pete's closed cases since they've already gone through his active cases.

AUS Television: City Homicide, Episode 4.13 "Once Bitten"

City Homicide
Season Four, Episode Thirteen, Once Bitten
Original Air Date:  September 29, 2010


An off-duty Rhys finds himself in trouble when he pursues two kids he witnessed committing a robbery.  One of the men bite him and they both get away.  Upon investigating the scene closer, Rhys finds that the owner of the business was murdered.  The case gets complicated and Rhys faces a danger that could cost him his life.

While listening to a witness relate what he'd seen (or not seen) to Nick, Rhys sees an onlooker in the crowd that draws his interest but the man disappears into the crowd.  Matt orders Rhys back to headquarters to get an ID on the men. Once there, he finds that his bitten arm is in a pretty bad condition.  He gets a call from Matt and, ignoring his injury, he heads out to work on the case.