CAPRICA 1.13: False Labor

CAPRICA seems to have evolved into a state of “meh” for me. Ever since it returned from hiatus, CAPRICA feels like something I watch if there’s nothing better on. Which is sad, because it began with such promise.

The problem probably stems from the concentration on Daniel Graystone’s (Eric Stoltz) soul-searching and Sister Clarice’s (Polly Walker) search for souls to add to Soldier of The One. I am simply not as interested in Daniel’s sudden attacks of conscience — c’mon, surely the man did not become a business titan by being nice and playing by the rules! — or Clarice’s metaphysical mumbo-jumbo.

GLEE 2.5: The Rocky Horror Glee Show

The-powers-that-be at GLEE made the interesting decision to tackle the classic midnight movie/interactive stage production The Rocky Horror Picture Show by adapting it into “The Rocky Horror Glee Show,” leading to spasms of pearl-clutching and hyperventilation by self-appointed minders of so-called public morals. It would appear they got their money’s worth, as swathes of the work were excised and adapted.

On its surface, RHPS would appear to be the perfect production for the McKinley High show choir to tackle. As Will (Matthew Morrison) pointed out, the RHPS cultural phenomenon was spawned among the outcasts at the fringe of society, who bonded over their mutual affection for the crackpot musical. And, as has been repeatedly drummed into viewers’ heads, the glee club draws from the social dregs of the high school. But then again, GLEE itself airs on a major broadcast network at 8 p.m., not darkened movie theaters in a shabby part of town in the middle of the night. And thus, certain concessions must be made.

Preview: “The Death of the Doctor”

Normally, I hate Mondays (okay, I despise Mondays), but I am actually looking forward to this particular Monday, Oct. 25, which will see the debut of a new installment of THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, part one of a story called “The Death of the Doctor.” Yes, that Doctor.

The 11th Doctor himself, Matt Smith, guests on SJA, which focuses on the adventures of the Doctor’s former companion Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). The even better news is that the Time Lord is not the only special guest. Another of the Doctor’s former assistants, Jo Grant (Katy Manning), gets in on the action, too. But now she is called “Jo Jones” – she’s still with Prof. Cliff Jones all these years after “The Green Death.” Although Sarah and Jo both worked with the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) they have never met before. And don’t worry, you only have to wait until Tuesday to see part two.

Have a peek at the circumstances that bring this terrific trio together at last:

Watch another trailer after the cut…

CAPRICA: 1.12: Things We Lock Away

The term “game-changer” tends to get overused with TV shows, but I think this episode of CAPRICA really did alter the game because so much was…well, changed. The Zoe/Tamara alliance, Vergis’ death at Daniel’s hands, Clarice indoctrinating Lacy and taking in Amanda. It sounds like a cliché, but things should never be the same again.

The opening scene in the gladiator arena was thrilling, as Zoe (Alessandra Toressani) looked for the other Deathwalker — and found her! Tamara (Genevieve Buechner) wielded that shotgun like a pro. The entire sequence hinged on misperceptions by both women: Tamara resented Zoe as the terrorist who killed her and everyone else on the mag-lev. Zoe mistakes the Deathwalker Tamara for a copy of the real Tamara. Apparently AvatarZoe doesn’t know that RealZoe didn’t do the bombing, because instead of telling Tamara that Zoe was innocent, AZ merely argues that she’s not the actual Zoe — and thus shouldn’t be blamed for “Zoe’s” crime.

STARGATE UNIVERSE 2.4: Pathogen

Eli and Camile got another chance to go home on STARGATE UNIVERSE this week, and once again their personal stories proved to be gripping. Eli and Camile have the most fully fleshed-out family backgrounds.

When Eli (David Blue) got word that his mother was ill, he rushed to use the stones to return to Earth. We learned that Mrs. Wallace (Glynis Davies) is HIV-positive, and suffering from depression ever since the military took her son away. And a visit from Eli’s consciousness in the body of “Airman Tracy” was no comfort. It was heartbreaking to watch Eli in such pain while his mother wasted away before his eyes. Blue really excelled at showing Eli’s anguish and frustration at being unable to properly comfort his mom.

MAD MEN 4.13: Tomorrowland

MAD MEN season finales are never exactly earth-shattering barn-burners; they tend to be understated and affecting, relying on character drama more than big gimmicks (which is not to say last season’s new agency wasn’t significant). But this season’s denouement — while fitting the pattern of the previous three years — was actually rather fitting for this season as a whole: quietly dramatic.

Apparently the title — evoking the famous futuristic attraction at Disneyland — refers to Don (Jon Hamm) turning the page and looking ahead (while Betty cannot stop wallowing in the past). Don has spent this whole season running from his past, putting out fires, and realizing that Don Draper is not who he used to think he was. Remember how the season started: with that reporter asking “Who is Don Draper?” Good question. And while the former Dick Whitman probably cannot say for sure, he certainly has a better grasp on his identity now than he did when the season began.

HAWAII FIVE-O 1.5: Nalowale

Apparently, everyone likes working in Hawaii, because HAWAII FIVE-O cast two more familiar faces from cult TV series this week – one a hero that viewers will see again, and the other a villain whom no one wants to see return.

If you’re like me, you’ve been wondering what really happened to GLEE’s Ken Tanaka (Patrick Gallagher) that led to him being replaced as McKinley High’s football coach by Shannon Beiste (Dot Marie Jones). Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) briefly mentioned in the season premiere that Ken had a nervous breakdown – but I remained suspicious. Now, we need wonder no more. The truth is, he moved to the Philippines, changed his name to Carlos Bagoyo, and became a terrorist.

DOCTOR WHO regenerates undying controversy

I simply cannot wait to see the new THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES story “The Death of the Doctor.” Not just because it will feature Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) meeting 11th Doctor Matt Smith and former companion Jo Grant (Katy Manning), but because the story will address the issue of how many regenerations the Doctor is allowed.

First of all, it is important to note that the Doctor does not claim he is immortal. Since I am in the USA, I have not yet seen the episode in question, but according to this report, Clyde asks the Doctor how many times he can regenerate, and the Doctor says there is no limit. That’s it. No limit to regenerations. This official lifting of the 12-regeneration limit does not make him immortal. It merely reverts the series to its original position on regeneration, which is that Time Lords can be effectively immortal – if they are lucky. There is no indication that permanent death has been taken off the table: If both of the Doctor’s hearts are destroyed, he cannot regenerate. If he is drowned, he cannot regenerate (that one comes from “Turn Left,” penned by Russell T Davies, who wrote the new SJA episode in question). So, everyone who thinks it’s important for the Doctor to put his life on the line, relax.

In the words of former story editor Douglas Adams, Don’t panic.

THE AMAZING RACE 17.4: “We Should Have Brought Gloves and Butt Pads”

THE AMAZING RACE ventured above the Arctic Circle this week, and the pace never cooled off. But the remarkable part was the level of cooperation in the normally cutthroat competition.

I have seen teams refuse to cooperate or even outright lie in seasons past in order to secure an advantage, but that’s not what happened this week. In fact, I do not recall another install of AR in which the teams seemed to watch out for each other so much.

DOCTOR WHO LIVE! Well, in the U.K., at least

Doctor Who Live, an elaborate stage production, has opened in Great Britain, and I cannot think of a better to pass the time until the Christmas Special than to spend it with the Doctor and a few of his best enemies, live onstage.

The good lifeforms at SFX.com have a behind-the-scenes video (go here to see it) that features clips from the show along with interviews with Smith and the creators. It looks like more fun than a barrel of Adipose!

Subtitled The Monsters Are Coming!, the premise of the production is that a showman called Vorgenson presents a tribute to the Doctor through his traveling menagerie, which features the redesigned Daleks, Cybermen, Judoon, Ood, Scarecrows, Silurians, Venetian vampires, Clockwork Robots, Smilers and even Weeping Angels. The show is billed as a thematic sequel to the Third Doctor story “Carnival of Monsters.” Since the Doctor has to get involved, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that something goes wrong.

Matt Smith, the 11th Doctor himself, is rumored to appear live in some performances. I don’t know if this has happened/will happen, but the 11th Doctor does appear in specially created video footage exclusively for the show (as you can see in the clip). Alas, no Amy Pond (Karen Gillan)? No Rory Pond (Arthur Darvill)? Perhaps they are too busy enjoying their honeymoon to bother with a zoo break-out.

I really wish this touring show would come to the USA, but I have to admit that DOCTOR WHO is probably not a high-profile enough property to sell enough tickets to justify the expense of an overseas sojourn. But can still hope that it will be successful enough in the U.K. to allow producers to bring a limited run to New York. It may not be “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy,” but I know I would buy tickets.