Yeah, I got the same thing. I hope I'm doing something wrong because I was looking forward to rewatching them in quick succession.

First encounter
I still remember the first time I ran across this show on Adult Swim. The opening credits left me completely gobsmacked and from that moment on, I was hooked. Every day, I'd check Cartoon Network's schedule to make sure I wouldn't miss an episode.

There's nothing quite like Lizzy Caplan with ketchup and mustard stains on her shirt.

You guys must have a weird pronunciation of "biographical [motion] picture."

Junior: "Didn't he almost drown in three inches of water?"
Tony: "The penguin exhibit."

Jordo, I'd highly recommend sticking with THE WIRE through Season 3 at the very least. I'm currently going through the series for the first time too (beginning Season 5 tomorrow) and while I thought the first two seasons were high-quality stuff, I didn't begin to fully feel the series' broad scope until its third…

"Depression is rage turned inward" … then outward.

First episode I've watched in a while
I'm not as enthusiastic about the episode as the reviewer, but there was a lot to like here. The grocery store commercials were entertaining and the Pressly/Suplee plot had its moments, even if it was a little too blunt with the whole overbearing wife/cowering husband dynamic.…

"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."

"Trace evidence ain't have shit on the Bunk."

I'm interested in following the SFU coverage for the mere fact that I finished the series last month and wasn't particularly pleased with it. More often than not, it came off (to me) as a terribly artificial attempt to capture the trials and tribulations of real life. I don't feel like it had anything very insightful…

For having the least attention-grabbing performance of the Bennett clan, Doyle made a very distinct impression on me, especially in tonight's episode.

Yeah, the coin is a call-back to parts of Season 1 and Season 2's "PETER." If memory serves, it was the sickly Peter who was taught the coin trick. Late in Season 1, Walter recounts stories of the coin to Peter, who has no recollection of anything. It seems that Peter's bout of amnesia was more of a memory lapse…

I hate anyone who ever had a pony when they were growing up.

The Ben Kingsley episode is redeemed by the look Christopher gives Kingsley on the plane and Lauren Bacall getting punched in the face.

Also seems to be a bit taken from the Peanuts, particularly when Gervais leans his head back and laughs.

Reminded me a lot of the pilot
Both don't approach greatness territory until their respective endings.

This is the thing that makes me apprehensive about watching the show. The big draw seems to be the murder-mystery aspect, and they can only stretch that premise out for so long.

Television as situational parallel
Based on what I've seen thus far, I think Todd is right about this season having the best use of television as a means to underscore character's actions/situations. The one that stands out most clearly to me is *KIND OF SPOILERY* Adriana watching MURDER, SHE WROTE and "discovering"…

Last few episodes have shown him under a great deal of stress, so it's not particularly surprising that he'd be short with the person he interacts with most often.