This week's premier episode left off with Rachel & Finn as a steady couple, Sue Sylvester & Will Schuster are still rampant rivals yet have seemed to arrived at a grudgingly acknowledged but never spoken, limited level of respect for one another, Quinn has given birth and over the summer has gotten her body back, and thus assumedly regained her popularity, Tina and Mike (the latter more known as the "other Asian", whom the camera consistently focuses on not so much for lines as for a dancing opportunity) hooked up over the summer as tutors at an Asian-student related camp (!), Artie is quite bitter about the break up with the aforementioned Tina and is determined now to get her back and, excitingly, we’re given a glimpse of potential new cast members. Sunshine is a foreign exchange student with a voice like Christina – and naturally, a very threatened Rachel is not having it. Sam is a new student and member of the football team. His audition to the Glee club was received with flying colors yet the negative stigma associated with being a member may prove to dissuade any decision to join. The season two premier was Glee’s highest viewership to date with over 12 million – reflecting the anxiousness of its watchers. The episode in and of itself was good (not bad, not great). The writers are likely attempting to set the pacing for what is to come so possibly they desired not to give us greedy watchers too many incredible acts in one episode? One episode aside; while I certainly may be living vicariously through this show (having not attended a traditional high school), the energy, the variety of song choices, the shrewd and witty Sue and her rivalry, no, make that attempt at annihilation of Will, the chemistry between particular characters etc continue to make this show this an absolute must-see. You are not too late to catch up – this is only the beginning of season two; make with haste!
I give this premier a 3.5 out of 5 frames:
The Undercovers
I only somewhat anticipated J.J. Abrams' (creator of Alias, Lost & Fringe) new spy-drama about former CIA agents, who happen to now be married and are in a family-run catering business. They have both retired from government business yet the disappearance of an old comrade actualizes a part of them that is reminiscent for the old adventures. Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays the wife, Samantha Bloom and Boris Kodjo plays the husband, Steven Bloom. (Side note: Gugu Mbatha-Raw is of English and South African descent with Boris Kodjo is of Ghanian and German descent; two non-white actors were the main stars in a prime time drama - great news!) The plot seemed original enough for tv yet not unique enough to intrigue me on its own. It was my dedication to Abrams that brought me wide-eyed, in front of the flat screen in my dining room at 8pm this past Wednesday. J.J. Abrams has never let me (or anyone I know) down so it was with an earnest attitude I tuned into the season premier. Started out a bit choppy, with Gugu clearly being a new actress. She wasn't bad yet I've watched enough tv/movies to recognize a beginner. I'm all for paving your way so no worries; she has a good partner with the more seasoned Boris. The episode tried its best to fit in appeal/glamour (they traveled all over the world), comedy (their contact in Spain was a purposefully annoying kiss-up; played well by Ben Schwartz), conflict (it's a spy drama, of course there's always an enemy-per-episode!) and cleverness (they call their adventures "sexpionage"). Yet why wasn't I impressed? I was disappointed at the cheesy acting of one of the bad guy's henchmen. This is a late night premier, simply required a bit of editing! May seem picky but when you have the opportunity to gain big audiences - take the time. The end result was a bit sloppy and I hate to say it: uninteresting. I'm going to tune in again this week with an open mind and high hopes for what this season could be. PUH-LEASE J.J., don't fail me now!!!
I give this premier a 2.5 out of 5 frames:
If there were any premiers this past week that you thought were sweeeeet - post them on the forum or email me. If, dare I say, Undercovers fails me this week, I'll require a fill-in.
Danae signing off!
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