BuzzSugar

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Invest in Love"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:14 -0800

This week I felt like Grey's Anatomy is finally getting back on track. The episode has a very sad central focus, as Arizona faces the inevitable loss of a young patient, but was nicely rounded out with the usual relationship issues, comic relief, and a few sweet moments.

For more Grey's fun, check out the Grey's Anatomy McAddicts group in the Buzz Community. To get into the money matters, the L-bombs, and the shirtless Karev from this week, just read more.

This week's episode belongs to Arizona, as she takes a few of the surgeons into the "magical" world of pediatrics. She introduces Yang, Hunt, and Avery to Wallace - a 10-year-old patient with a nutritional disorder that's kept him in the hospital for 7 months. Thanks to her particularly sweet bedside manner and close relationship with Wallace, his parents offer to donate $25 million to the hospital. But when his condition worsens, Wallace's parents and the chief put pressure on Arizona to perform a surgery she doesn't feel comfortable with - and she ends up losing Wallace on his 11th birthday. There is one saving grace though, and that's the "I love you" exchange that happens between Arizona and Callie after Arizona runs out on her own surprise party.
The tension continues for Cristina and Owen, and Cristina's obsession with performing a surgery finally takes hold of her when she goes against Owen's orders and performs in the OR. It leads to a big fight for the two (which according to Meredith means Owen loves Cristina), but causes Avery to take notice of Cristina. They share a kiss at Arizona's surprise party, but Cristina pushes him off, saying that she's "involved." Somehow, I don't think this is the end of Avery's little crush.
As if things couldn't get any worse for Alex with Izzie gone, he gets slammed with $200,000 worth of her medical bills. He takes his anger out on Reid, who finally admits to Avery that she has a crush on Alex. Alex sweetly cares for a baby he thinks is about to die, and manages to coddle her back to health (shirtless, no less). I loved the jokes about the softer side of Karev (specifically Derek asking if Karev is lactating yet), and was even more impressed with Reid's persistence, even as Alex continues to snap at her and complain about Izzie.

What'd you think of this week's episode? Are you excited for next week's Izzie return and Kim Raver introduction? How long before Karev and Reid finally get it on?

Rashida Jones and Chris Pratt Talk Parks and Recreation

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:38:35 -0700

Since the beginning of the Fall season, Parks and Recreation has gone from shaky midseason replacement to a solid half-hour of comedy, thanks in part to a talented and hilarious cast. Two of my favorite actors from the show, Rashida Jones and Chris Pratt, who play Leslie's best friend Ann and Ann's ex-boyfriend Andy, respectively, chatted with some reporters this week about Parks and what's in store for their characters.

Rashida on the possibility of Ann and Andy getting back together: You know, I don't think it's an impossibility. I think there's still love in Ann's heart for Andy. I think so much would have to change for him to be OK with her. But I don't think it's an impossibility.
Chris on whether Andy will get a job or home: Yeah, the writers have found a nice way for Andy to get out of the pit and get a job and start sort of working his way up into independence.

To read more on why Chris and Rashida think the second season has been better, Ann and Andy's ex relationship, and those nude scenes, just read more.

Rashida on whether she likes Ann and Andy better together or apart: I think there's a lot of comedy both ways. I mean, I like this particular paradigm; I think it's really funny, because I just think Chris gets to shine a lot here and do something with something that could potentially seem really kind of cartoony and big which is like him, you know - showing up places and pretending to be casual about seeing me and all that. But he manages to make it kind of realistic and really sweet. So I like this dynamic for now.
Chris on whether Andy will start dating: I think that Andy's undying devotion toward Ann is one of the only things that sort of redeems him, so I hope not. I hope that he just keeps pining after Ann for 10 seasons to come. That would be the best for me.
Rashida on what Chris wears when he's naked on the show: They have those really unappealing little dance belts that were uncomfortable for Chris Pratt.
Chris on the nude scenes: Yeah, let's just say there was a dance belt included and it was uncomfortable. They kind of just are these little things that cover up your junk, but it was almost as if I was wearing nothing at all. Yeah.
Rashida on the show clicking more in the second season: It just takes time. I think for the actors, for the writers, for the audience, you just need some time to settle into what the characters actually are, and what's funny about their dynamics. And I'm super grateful that people gave us a shot to get there but I definitely think it takes about 10 episodes to even know what anything is, you know? I mean, you watch some early Seinfeld, you watch some early Sex and the City, it's nothing like the show turned out to be; the things that people loved about that show did not exist at the beginning of that show, you know.
Chris on the same: I've noticed that, as a fan of the show, I've seen it get better and better, and working on it I've noticed the scripts coming down the pipes have gotten better, but it kind of goes back to what Rashida said: it takes time for everybody. And I think it's just a matter of finding the sensibilities to all the characters and starting with Amy, you know; I think a lot of people compared Steve Carell to Ricky Gervais from The Office when they first started the American version of The Office. But he has a different style of comedy, and maybe they were writing for Steve the way they did for Ricky Gervais. And maybe in the beginning, they were writing for Amy the way that they wrote for Steve Carell, but her comedic sensibility is a little different. Maybe it's not that funny to watch her be uncomfortable the way it is with Steve Carell, but it's so goddamned endearing when she smiles. And you see her and when she's enjoying herself, so is the audience. And you see her doing that a lot more now; kind of just becoming comfortable in who she is, and like the episode with the beauty pageant, she's standing up for women's rights. You're seeing more dimensions of her. And maybe it's always been who they've envisioned her to be, or maybe they're figuring it out, but I sure like Leslie a lot more in the second season. I just enjoy watching her more and I think that's starting to happen with all the characters.

Don't forget to tune in to watch Ann and Andy on tonight's special Halloween episode; something tells me that some of what Rashida and Chris talked about will start developing sooner rather than later!

FlashForward Breakdown, "White to Play"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:29 -0700

FlashForward's sophomore episode packs as much punch as its pilot: more action, questions raised, and lives on the line. As the FBI continues to investigate what caused the blackout, the world's residents find themselves united in their shared experience. They may never be able to look at life the same way again, but as Aaron says, "We're all prophets now."

Last week I broke down the episode by character, but this time around I'm focusing on the biggest questions of the night and even sharing a few of my own predictions. To get down to the nitty-gritty (spoilers ahead, of course), just read more.

Who is D. Gibbons?
Knowing that one of Mark's vision cards says "D. Gibbons," Mark and Demetri start to discuss the person in question when a woman with a box of cupcakes shows up, and - you guessed it! - her name is Deedee Gibbons! Seems simple enough, but as it turns out, there's another D. Gibbons. Mark and Demetri track him to his creeptastic doll factory in Utah, where he tries to administer death by explosion. Later we learn that D. Gibbons is in contact with "Agent Zero" (aka the Detriot stadium walker) during the two-minute blackout.

Can Demetri avoid his fate?
Demetri continues to wrestle with his vision (or lack thereof), and is seemingly comforted to find a policewoman with the same experience. That is, until she's dead five minutes later. Mark tries to convince him that he may be asleep in the future, but Demetri gets an anonymous call at the end of the episode bearing the worst news: On March 15, 2010, he will be murdered.

Will Mark's actions throw his vision off course?
I have to admit that throughout the episode, I was kind of mad at Mark for a lot of reasons. First of all, he acts cold towards Olivia because of her adulterous flash-forward when he's not being truthful about his own. She took a big risk by revealing her vision to her husband; the least he can do is lay off of her a little. My other major gripe is that Mark seems to be actively fulfilling his vision. He arranges the cards in his office exactly how they were in the flash-forward, and heads to the dollhouse factory because it appears in his vision. If Mark is trying to avoid his prophecy, couldn't he be more active about moving in a new direction? (Demetri agrees with me, mostly because he doesn't want to believe his own fate). By the end of the episode, Mark finally tries to break the pattern by tossing his friendship bracelet into the fireplace. But will a butterfly effect take place?

What did Charlie see in her vision?
The episode opens to a very creepy rendition of children singing "Ring Around the Rosie" as we see Charlie's playmates re-enacting the blackout on the playground (later we get a reprise of the haunting tune). Charlie is the only kid in school who doesn't want to talk about her vision, prompting her teacher to worry about Charlie's psychological well-being. Later we find out that she had a "bad vision" and that Lloyd Simcoe's son Dylan is a part of it. The episode ends on a chilling note as she tells Mark, "D. Gibbons is a bad man."
My prediction: D. Gibbons kidnaps Dylan and Charlie at some point, which causes Mark's and Olivia's relationship to unravel. Charlie gets a glimpse of her imprisonment in her vision.

Other major points

"He who foresees calamities, suffers them twice over" - D. Gibbons mutters this line shortly before blowing up the factory.
Olivia recognizes Lloyd from her vision, but not vice-versa.
Is Bryce sketching Olivia in the hospital?
Am I the only one who noticed a little bit of sexual tension between Demetri and Janis? Could Demetri be the father of her child?

I've given you my two cents, now I want to hear yours! Sound off the comments below!

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:30:33 -0700

Far fewer feet were cut off in this week's episode of Mad Men, but there's still intense imagery. The way the episode kicks off, with a bloody Don, Peggy in bed, and Betty on a fainting couch, you know this installment, "Seven Twenty Three," is going to be explosive.

To talk about the episode and see my five maddest moments (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The Flash Forwards: Peggy, Don, and Betty are all shown lying down somewhere in vastly different situations - clearly these are the three paramount plot lines for the episode. I have to say, I really liked the subtle drama of the flashes.
Old Yeller: What's with Don yelling at the women in his life? Peggy is the first victim of his wrath when she dares to ask for a spot on the Hilton account. Then he shouts at Betty at home for having an opinion about his contract. What crawled up his gray flannel suit?
Duck, Duck, Peggy: When I wondered how Duck Philips would turn up this season, I did not think it would be in bed with Peggy. Duck's seduction of Peggy really only seemed like it was to get her to Gray; I didn't see a sexual thing coming. I mean, his name is Duck. He's not exactly the smoldering Lothario that Don is. Listening to his dirty talk is weird - even though it's pretty clean, it still scandalized me. The two tense encounters Peggy has with the main men in her life - Pete and Don - seem to be what make her vulnerable enough to have a "go-round" (I know, what?!) with Duck, who's sort of the anti-Don (Très has even more questions about this one-night stand). P.S. I love that no one notices that Peggy comes to work the next day in the same outfit she wore the day before. Classic.
Burt Blackmails: Am I dense for just not caring that much about the Conrad Hilton account? It's kind of cool to see real-life people integrated into the storyline, but he only appears to be there to press the contract issue. Right when I was telling my TV, "We get it Don, you don't like to be tied down," little old Burt Cooper shows up in Don's office and makes a reference to his knowledge of Don's true identity. And by making a reference, I mean he blackmails Don into signing the three-year contract. Burt's play is the most interesting thing about the contract; I'm glad it's finally wrapped up.
Don and the Bad Scene: You know you're having a bad trip when your dead, abusive dad shows up, tells you hillbilly jokes, and insults you. From the flashes of Don bloody and face down in a motel room, you know Don's headed for trouble when he leaves the house. He really sticks his foot in it this time; somehow, taking two barbiturates washed down with whiskey while driving seems excessive, even for Don. Fine, Don: no one can control you. Getting punched in the back of the head and then robbed is what his flash built up to; is this some kind of a rock bottom, or is he still on the way down? (By the by, it's realistic by now, but the fact that there's no fallout with Betty when Don takes off, stays out all night, and comes back with a facial wound cracks me up.)

So do you think we're going to see more of this Don/Dick Jekyll and Hyde thing? I won't be surprised if we do; the first scene of this season recalled Don's beginnings as Dick. What else were you intrigued by? Betty's involvement with the politician? Miss Farrell's somewhat bizarre interaction with Don about hitting on her? To talk more about the show, join the Mad Men Group in the BuzzSugar community!

Photo courtesy of AMC

FlashForward Series Premiere Breakdown

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:30:55 -0700

So, did you guys catch FlashForward this week? Even though I had already seen the pilot (OK, I saw it twice), I still tuned in to refresh my memory. No surprises here - I caught a few nuances that I had missed the first time around, and I can already tell that this may be the kind of show that requires a second viewing. (This should be a familiar routine for all you Lost fans out there). Speaking of Lost, did anyone else notice the billboard for Oceanic airlines?

Even if you paid attention, it can be a bit confusing to keep track of who's who in new pilots, so I've broken it all down for you. Check it out and then let's discuss what you thought of the episode! To see what I thought, just read more.

Mark Benford: Played by Joseph Fiennes, Mark is an FBI agent, loving husband and father, and alcoholic. He's immediately obsessed with getting to the bottom of what caused the flashforwards after viewing his own. He sees himself agonizing over the case and drinking from a flask. Mark knows that if he falls off the wagon, his wife Olivia will leave him, so it's not surprising that he's determined to do whatever he can to prevent his vision from becoming a reality. Biggest question for Mark: can he stop his flashforward from happening?

Olivia Benford: Played by Lost's Sonya Walger, Olivia is Mark's wife. She's a doctor with a cheeky sense of humor (which includes sending her husband faux insults via text and post-it). Olivia's flashforward is one of the more upsetting of the bunch: she sees herself with a man named Lloyd Simcoe. Later in the episode we learn that Lloyd is the father of one of Olivia's patients who is admitted to the hospital after the blackout. Biggest question for Olivia: does Mark drive her away, or does she become an unfaithful wife?

Bryce Varley: One of Olivia's fellow doctors, Bryce is contemplating suicide when the blackout occurs. After seeing his vision, he has a brand new outlook on life and heads back to the hospital rejuvenated. He considers his vision to be a gift from God. Biggest question for Bryce: is simply believing in happiness the only push he needed?

Nicole Kirby: First of all, I can't believe it took me three viewings to realize that Nicole is none other than Jane Sterling on Mad Men! (Seeing those actors out of their '60s garb can be really jarring.) Anyway, we don't know much about Nicole yet, just that she's a babysitter who was caught lying down on the job (get it?! Heh). Unlike Bryce, Nicole thinks the flashforwards aren't a gift from God, but a punishment. Biggest question for Nicole: what has she done that warrants a punishment?

Aaron Stark: Aaron's an electrician by trade, but he's also got a very important job as Mark's AA sponsor and friend. After two years, he's still grieving for his daughter Tracy, who died in the war in Afghanistan. Mark's flashforward is one of the most hopeful: he sees a reunion with his daughter, who is actually alive and well. Biggest question for Aaron: could his daughter really be alive?

Demetri Noh: Played by John Cho, Demetri is Mark's FBI partner. He's still relatively new to the job and seems more preoccupied with what song he'll be dancing to at his upcoming wedding. Demetri's vision is perhaps the most mysterious of all: he sees nothing. Biggest question for Demetri: is he going to be dead in six months?

Other general questions: How did Lloyd Simcoe's son know Olivia's name? What is up with that kangaroo? Was the blackout caused by a natural disaster, or is someone behind it all? What role will Dominic Monaghan play in all this? Who was that guy at the end and why is he walking around in Detroit? We've only scratched the surface, and now I'm dying to hear how you all felt about the series premiere!

House Season 6 Premiere Rundown: "Broken"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:46:36 -0700

After an entire Summer without House, you can believe I was ready for last night’s two-hour premiere. With House checked in to an asylum, we knew season six was taking us in to new territory.

From the start they let us know that this was not your typical episode. If the removal of Massive Attack's opening music, replaced with Radiohead's "No Surprises" wasn't enough to tip you off, then maybe the washed-out, dream-like detox scene was. Did you watch, and are you ready to discuss? Find out some of the things I'm dying to talk about (spoilers ahead!), when you read more.

Where was the medical mystery? I have to admit, while I loved this episode, I kept waiting for the medical mystery. Every time Annie (the catatonic cello player) was on screen, I would think, "Oh he's going to solve this, surely she must have some rare disease." Then after superhero Steve becomes catatonic, I figured the same thing. And when neither of those panned out, I thought it would be Dr. Nolan's father who would be saved. However once the clock started ticking down, it dawned on me. This is the episode where the person who gets saved is House.
What did you think of the dynamic between House and Nolan? I think Andre Braugher is the perfect foil to House. Their dynamic seems so real, and I love that he essentially blackmails House into getting better and thwarts his attempts to trick Wilson.
Speaking of Wilson, did you notice that he is the only other cast member to appear? Did you miss the rest of the cast, or were you fine with the new faces? Do you think any of these faces will show up again? I think it would be a treat if Alvie turned up at Princeton Plainsboro with a rap for our favorite diagnostic team.
While the tone of the episode is admittedly dark, two of my favorite moments had to be when House and superhero Steve are flying at the carnival, and when House joins Alvie on stage for the talent show. I don't think we've ever seen House smiling unless it's to cause the frustration of someone else. How about you, what was your favorite scene?
How important do you think House's relationship with Lydia (Franka Potente) is? Do you think House would have been "cured" had she not been there?
Now for another somber moment. Were you also tricked into thinking superhero Steve actually died? I was glad to hear that he's still alive. I don't think House (or myself) could've handled yet another death on the show.
There were a lot of great quotes during the evening. However, my favorite line of the night is when Alvie tells House that they broke him, and House replies with, "They didn’t break me - I am broken." What was your favorite line?
Do you think House has really been cured? Or do you think he'll be back to his old tricks and Vicodin pill-popping ways by next week's episode?

Really, there was so much to this week's episode. In fact, it felt like House the Motion Picture, and I think it did a great job in covering the gap between last season and this one. I have no idea where the writers are taking us, but if the rest of the season is as good as last night's premiere, we're in for a treat!

To meet more House fans and keep the discussion going, join the House Group on the BuzzSugar Community!

Photo courtesy of Fox