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Five Essential Epsiodes: Friday Night Lights

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:30:06 PST

Have you ever meant to get into a TV show but never had the time - till suddenly it was a few seasons in and you feared you'd never get caught up? That's what inspired this new occasional feature, Five Essential Episodes. Kind of like Getting Into for television, I'll choose the five episodes of a current show that are the most important for new fans to check out.

The first show I'm tackling is Friday Night Lights, which returns to start its third season on NBC on Jan. 16 after previously airing on DirecTV. I've seen a number of the DirecTV episodes and can say they're outstanding; I imagine many of them would end up on a future list of essentials. But for now, I'm sticking to episodes that aired in the first and second seasons. For the record, I'm assuming you know the premise and/or can also get your hands on the pilot episode. That said, here are my five essential episodes:

"Wind Sprints" - The third episode of the show's first season had one of the most iconic images of the series: the whole team running sprints up and down a sloppy, muddy hill in the rain, followed by Coach Taylor making Tim Riggins walk home while everyone else takes the bus. I'm not sure what falls harder when I watch this one: the rain or my tears.
"Black Eyes and Broken Hearts" - This season one episode comes on the heels of a walkout by the team's black players - led by star Smash Williams - over a racially charged comment made by an assistant coach. It's a great balance of FNL's meatier moments (the walkout story, the Taylors worrying about Julie's friendship with bad girl Tyra) and lighter ones (Matt trying to buy a gift for Julie).

To see the other three,

"Mud Bowl" - There's just something about rain that must bring out the best in FNL. This gem comes toward the end of the first season and includes not just a football game in a mucky field but some juicy developments with Jason Street, Landry waving around Our Bodies, Ourselves, and a really shocking Tyra-related twist that would unfortunately lead to some of the worst parts of season two - but it seemed right at the time!

"State" - To think, the first-season finale could have been the final FNL ever! And what a satisfying episode it is, with the Panthers taking on their toughest football foe yet, Tami getting some information that will change her family's lives forever, and one of the most awkward and cold motivational speeches in the history of football.
"Leave No One Behind" - The second season was a little rough for FNL, but the show was back on track by the time this episode rolled around. The most stunning scene comes when Coach Taylor literally throws Matt in a cold shower, but Smash's sudden doubts about playing college ball bring up some shiver-inducing moments of their own.

FNL fans, what's on your list of essentials?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:28:18 PDT

The doctors are in the lion's den on this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, and not just in the figurative sense. A lion attack gets the surgeons in a tizzy (and gives Derek and Meredith a good story to tell). Owen gets himself into even hotter water when he puts his foot in his mouth, and Teddy manages to insult a group of widows.

The biggest development of the episode is what could have been with Lexie and Mark, but without the climax, it's a bit of a dull episode. Let's break it down when you

A week has elapsed since Owen came clean to Cristina about his cheatin' ways, and Cristina has been giving him the silent treatment ever since (oh, how the tables have turned in this situation). Desperate to figure out what to do, Owen turns to Meredith assuming she's attuned to the situation, but - oops - his talk of his affair is news to Meredith. Infuriated, she's super icy toward him during surgery, and afterward she tells him that the fact that Cristina didn't tell her is a good sign. Bailey overhears the conversation and is pretty understanding, but when Owen gets home, Cristina throws her dinner in his face. Ouch.
Lexie continues to wrestle with her feelings for Mark, and this week's mania is ignited when she overhears Mark telling Derek that he might ask Julia to move in with him. (Is it just me, or does five months seem a bit soon to be taking such a big step?) Of course, Lexie wigs out and even pesters Derek for help, playing the big brother-in-law card. Derek resists initially but then softens up, telling Lexie that she still has a chance, but needs to be absolutely sure of her feelings before she ruins Mark's relationship. Of course, the episode culminates in a Lexie / Mark elevator encounter, and Lexie totally chickens out. I almost screamed at my TV at this point; after all the whining Lexie has been doing this season, now she's balking?
Teddy takes a big step and joins a grief group, but it doesn't exactly help her deal with Henry's death right away. In fact, she essentially starts bullying one of the other widows before assuring everyone that she doesn't need counseling. Of course, it's all a facade: after an elderly patient passes away while her husband is in surgery, Teddy begins to try to accept the fact that she's no different from the other widows in her group.
Worried that his relationship with Morgan is getting too . . .relationshippy, Alex asks Arizona to let him off the case. Morgan is furious, especially when Arizona presents her with a brutal decision regarding her infant son's life. Arizona applauds Alex for staying professional, but I thought Alex was being a bit harsh (though it's totally typical Alex behavior). Somehow, I still don't think this is the last we've seen of Morgan, though.

What do you think lies ahead for Owen and Cristina? It looks like next week his lady friend will be unmasked, but will his relationship be able to recover?

Link Time - The Les Miz Movie Finds Its Marius

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:51:06 PDT

Eddie Redmayne nabs a key role in Les Miz - Vulture
Aaron Eckhart shares his five favorite films - Rotten Tomatoes
Get a preview of this year's holiday movies - Moviefone
In case you missed it, watch Katie Holmes on How I Met Your Mother - Aol TV
The nine most fashionable TV characters - Next Movie
Get a peek at The Vampire Diaries flashback episode - BuddyTV
Hollywood's most shocking Halloween costumes - The Hollywood Reporter
Mark your calendars for these essential shows during November sweeps - Zap2it
Are you interested in Pippa Middleton's book? - TrèsSugar

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "It's a Long Way Back"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:39:20 PDT

Grey's Anatomy is finally back this week, after a long hiatus to help us forget about that musical episode. Though the songs are gone, Callie's condition remains. The whole gang is on call to assist with her recovery, but the new mom is stubborn and frustrated that she can't hold her baby girl - who, we learn, is named Sofia!

Three months elapse over the course of the episode, and time changes lives for a lot of the doctors: as Callie recuperates, Karev makes a major play for Chief Resident, and Meredith takes action in a way that could cause a major rift in her marriage (not to mention cost her her job). Let's break it down after the jump.

Best of Bella: Spring Beauty Essentials, Chic Ponytail Braids, and More

BellaSugar — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:10:00 PDT

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

Five Spring beauty essentials (and what to toss) from guest writer Gina Brooke.
Donate clean water to countries in need with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Take a virtual tour of our beautiful visit to Hacienda San Jose in Yucatán.
Six unique ways to wear this season's carefree ponytail braid.
We're crazy about Michelle Monaghan's '70s-chic tawny makeup.
Calling all perfume-ophiles: see the 2011 FiFi Awards nominees.
See why we're giving this natural sunscreen a big thumbs up .
Nicole Richie is growing out her hair; which length looks best on her?

Best of Bella: The Best Blushes For a Faux "O" Glow, Pretty New Polishes, and More

BellaSugar — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:25:00 PDT

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

These five blushes will make you look like you just got some.
Read the worst beauty tips in history - but don't follow them!
Too hot to handle: see 15 of the sexiest hairstyles in movie history.
Take a look back at legendary makeup artist Dick Smith's most memorable makeup jobs.
You should really keep your eye on these five new beauty brands.
Say goodbye to bumps with these three tips for treating razor burn.
Michelle Phan shares her must-have beach bag essentials.
Check out 10 of the prettiest new nail polish shades for August.