Busy Philips
Enter "We made a pact!" into the Line Readings Hall of Fame.

Setting /= Character
Hey, you know what a really well developed setting that you like a lot is? A really well developed setting that you like a lot. It's not a character because it's where shit happens, not the actors in the shit doing shit. I expected better from you Mr. VanDerWerff.

I've been reading over the summer, so now I'm curious about "The Pattern" and "Amber" being in the same show. Anyone else?

2.5
There are 2.5 reasons I keep watching this show. The first is that Hugh Laurie is a phenomenal actor. The second is you writing these reviews. The half is that the show is still sometimes funny.

Spaceman, I don't think it was lost focus so much as expecting to write another set of books that never happened.

One point in its favor: how expensive can this show be? There are no ringer actors (that I'm familiar with) drawing a big check and there are no special effects unless trains are going to become the goto assassination methods. Certainly how wonderfully it's filmed costs money, but really enough to not warrant a…

This is what I do
Spangler's arc: Travers will continue to be scared of turning into Spangler, but will also begin to respect the man. Spangler may even start giving him advice on how to avoid becoming like Spangler, but probably not on this show. Eventually, Travers will find out some of the horrible decisions…

I honestly can't imagine a less painful way to die than to be instantly split perfectly in half. I'm pretty sure that would take care of it right quick. That said, live ones going into an oven really turned my stomach. That's not slow at all.

Most doctors who work in hospitals are there because they're in very difficult specialties, like surgery. The rest of the doctors in hospitals are there because they're not good enough at their less difficult specialty to make it in a private practice. So your hospital doctors are either surgeons, with a well…

Poor premise
Nerd who's a fine, if not amazing, liar.

No kidding Dired, I know when I look for countries to invade, extensive space and natural resources hold no appeal.

Also confused.

My one man crusade against confusing settings with characters
You mean to say "The other citizens of Springfield are the stars . . ." Springfield is a glorious setting, but it's not a character.

Uh, why do you abbreviate Angel as ATS? After a few minutes, I figured out that means "The Series." Why wouldn't you just write out "Angel?" Sure, it's two extra characters, but you only have the hold the shift key down for one of them!

So your friend waited for the best stuff to be over and then got really interested in the show? (At least 5 is miles better than 4, though)

I commented when this was going on that of the people who are not going to win, the women seem to be worse than the men, but when you get to the contenders, it's all mixed up. I would imagine that there are sociological forces that select which men and women audition for the show. I definitely remember a lot more…

Median income for a family in Farmington Hills, MI: $93,136.
Median income for a family in West Bloomfield, MI: $113,191.
Either of these towns is certainly capable of hosting an excellent restaurant.

"Normal Again" Season 6 Episode 17

Buffy did this
I actually really hate this device. I think it's a lazy way to pretend that you're doing something exciting and interesting. It particularly bothered me when Buffy did it. I'm already aware it's a fictional universe; I don't particularly care how many fictional universes are between me and it.

No shame in watching Degrassi. It's an institution. Dare I call it . . . the Canadian Doctor Who?