Monday and Tuesday's Tubin'

24, Day 5: 1.00pm- 2.00pm
***(out of 5)

The clock is ticking and the "Previously on 24" segment that plays at the beginning of each episode is foreshadowing some of the twists that emerged this week. Layman's Translation: 24 continues to be a show that over uses and over recycles plot and even dialogue. CTU employees (other than Jack) with family problems? Several characters including an ex-CTU director and Chloe have had extracurricular family issues they've had to put up with during the day. A deranged mentally unstable daughter of a CTU agent seasons ago, this season gets morphed into a junkie sister of acting CTU head, Sam Gangee of the Shire. How ridiculous is it that he got beat up by his sister and her junkie friend for money- and they just happened to take his CTU clearance card to add more dramatic effect. Which they will of course, will place into the WORST HANDS POSSIBLE as the season progresses. Mrs. Logan continues to be one of the most compelling characters this season. And the sheer disappointment, shame, and hatred – causes you to feel towards his character, President Logan is brilliant and cathartic (to say the least). Anyone think Kim Bauer was going to be the surprise guest behind the bed? I did, until we met the gun totting 15 year old Russian sex slave. I definitely prefer her. And they cut the canisters pretty damn fast. Not more than 15 minutes to cut through around 20 metal canisters with a slow cutting saw. And doesn't LCD display serial codes seem a bit much, and stupid? What if Mr. Bauer decided to EMP the location? No more setting those off. Not to mention if the battery runs out that is keeping the LCD lit. Overall, a good in-between episode. 24 is allowed to be at times implausible and we can overlook the constant recycling of ideas, because, frankly- it's damn entertaining television. Then we get to the end…how often does someone tell Jack, "We needed that guy that just died accidentally. Crap. Shit. What CAN WE POSSIBLY do now?"* Shouldn't Jack be conforming to these situations already, seeing as how he's done this at least five times before? And the show knows that us constant viewers already know the answer to this scenario- that's why they spoiled Jack's next move on the preview for next episode. Jack conveniently takes the place of the guy that got shot. Gasp!

*Note: Obviously this is paraphrased and not a direct quote from the episode.

Gilmore Girls, You've been Gilmored
****(out of 5)
Gilmore Girls and it's existance is a testament to the cathartic power of television to change your mood. Despite mood-altering circumstances taking place in your life before 8pm on Tuesday, noithing matters when Lorelai and Rory are taking part in their insane pop culture referencing, witty, speedily delivered dialogue. You can't help but be compassionate towards all the small town personalities and allow their humor to make your night. Which is why it was immeadiatly noticeable and worry causing when I came to the realization that a certain Sookie St. James was not in the episode- at all. She is definately one of the funnest bits of the show, despite there being minimal depth to her character. Viewing this episode brought along a lesson, proving to me the destructive nonenjoyable aspect to spoilers. I read a pretty complete outline of all the major events happening this episode and because of this found the plot points to be tired- only to realize that if I hadn't been spoiled I would have sincerely enjoyed the turns in the story. Rory becomming Yale Daily News editor, Emily demanding Luke's presence at Friday night dinner, and Rory moving in with boyfriend Logan- where significant plot points and were excellent. Would have been better if I wasn't so weak with my convictions against spoilers. The episode was extremely well written, which is always the benchmark of Gilmore Girls which prides itself in it's dialogue. The new trend is excellent endings for the Girls, in the past two episodes the final ten minutes have brought brilliant scenes. This time being the Friday night dinner conversation featuring Lorelai, Luke, Emily and Richard. Dinners at the Gilmore house are without a doubt the best scenes the show has to offer. And the after-dinner tipsy commentary by Lorelai and Luke out on the driveway was frankly, damn good entertainment.

Scrubs, My Half Acre + Her Story II
****(out of 5)
The absurdity of this show has never been as apparent as in Tuesday's episodes. Mandy Moore, Zach Braff real life girlfriend guest-starred as Zach Braff's characters girlfriend. Genius. J.D. (Zach Braff) and Julie(Mandy Moore) are perfectly compatible with one another even enjoying taking bizzare phots of them in wizard garb or old wrinkly masks. However, sometimes the little annoying things about a person outweigh their amazing qualities. You see, Julie doesn't laugh at any of J.D.'s jokes, but instead says "That's so funny." at everything. On a comedy sitcom, a character not laughing at another characters jokes just does not work out. This time wasn't different. Both episodes were excellent and hilarious. The banning of air-banding in the hospital was briceless. Not to mention J.D.'s parents thinking they were having a girl when he was born, so, just to asuage their sadness called him "Joanna" until he was eight months old.