Television recaps

Feb 01, 2020 14:30

I'm recapped five different television shows for three different websites. Check 'em out below.

The Amazing Race, Season 12

Episode 12.01: "Donkeys Have Souls Too"
In the season 12 premiere, host Phil greets us from downtown Los Angeles, a.k.a. the "entertainment Mecca." He's not wrong. The eleven teams of two travel in classic convertibles to this year's departure point: The Playboy Mansion. Well, you can't get much more American than fake breasts, fake tans, and taking off your clothes for money. Why not start the Race from near the infamous grotto?

Episode 12.02: "I've Become the Archie Bunker of the Home"
This week features a very angry man, bad editing (I couldn't believe it either!), boring tasks in Amsterdam proper, the proper spelling of Vyxsin's name (I think), a new nickname for one of the Jennifers, and Gramps in underpants covered with mud.

Episode 12.03: "Please, Lord, Give Me Milk"
This week, Lorena channels Linda Blair, critters once again foil several of the contestants, Shana's Jennifer makes numerous unflattering comment about Africa, and the teams go to school!

Episode 12.04: "Let's Name Our Chicken Phil"
This week, the teams never leave Burkina Faso. The leg involves more critter wrangling (although producers take pity on the Racers and provide bags for transport or tie said animals down in plastic bins), includes one of the least suspenseful eliminations ever, and introduces a heinous option called the U-Turn, a.k.a. how to create unnecessary drama and lose friends. And I thought the Yield was stupid. Oy.

Episode 12.05: "We Really Burned Bridges, for Sure"
This week there is yet another mention of karma (yawn), far too much time spent on airport "intrigue," a few team overloads, shameless product placement, and an old man falling down.

Episode 12.06: "Cherry on Top of the Sundae That's Already Melted"
If you thought last week's airport intrigue was exciting, then you'll love this episode's madness of phone reservations, Internet searching, queue waiting, attempted line jumping, incorrect seat booking, and missed connections. Oh, and the teams also visit a beautiful European nation on the Mediterranean.

Episode 12.07: "This Is Forever, Now"
This week, the two most easy-going teams have their worst leg so far, two family members get permanently inked, and The Race introduces yet another pointless and stupid element that won't be revealed in its entirety until next week (however, that doesn't mean I don't already know it's pointless and stupid-wasn't the U-Turn enough of a "twist" on this season already?).

Episode 12.08: "Honestly, They Have Witch Powers or Something!"
This week, the Final Five travel to Mumbai, India, Kynt & Vyxsin play the roles of TK & Rachel, and the Speed Bump proves to be an annoyance (although not as large of an annoyance as Nate & Jennifer, a.k.a. Nate-n-Hate).

Episode 12.09: "I Just Hope He Doesn't Croak on Us"
On this episode, Racers travel to Japan, navigate the mean streets of Osaka, and are forced to stop and smell the flowers - literally. (And no, the title of this episode does not refer to Grandpa Don.)

Episode 12.10: "Sorry, Guys, I'm Not Happy To See You"
On Season 12's penultimate leg, the Final Four jets to Taiwan, gets tipsy during a Roadblock, drinks tea, walks on sharp rocks, and... you know how when you were a kid, and you would bring in treats for the entire class on your birthday to celebrate? Sort of a gift for others on your special day? Well, it's Jennifer's birthday. And (SPOILER) she just gave The Amazing Race's audience one of the best. Presents. EVER!

Episode 12.11: "The Final Push"
In the last of 11 legs, The Final Three - which does not include Nathan & Jennifer HOORAY - fly to Anchorage, Alaska, and gut fish, wrangle crabs, climb a glacier, fly in helicopters, and encounter one of the most diabolical brain twisters in the history of the show before crossing the finish line.
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The Amazing Race, Season 13

Episode 13.01: "Bees Are Much Calmer Than All This!"
Hello, fellow Race-ing junkies. Are you ready for a new season of yelling, culture shock, crying, ugly Americans, and - oh yeah - a peek into several countries and peoples on this blue marble of ours? I sure am! . . . Like Season 12's premiere, the initial departure city is Los Angeles. Instead of the Playboy Mansion, however, the teams gather on the infield of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Their packs and first clues await them at the top of the stairs. Phil implores them to travel safe through the world that is waiting for them. Go!
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Everwood, Seasons 2 and 3
Irv's Mystical Negro Voiceovers! Amy's Season 2 boyfriend Tommy! The horror that is Ephram's hair in Season 3!
Originally @ PanFandom but now archived @ CLG

Episode 2.13: "Forget Me Not"
Ephram writes a song for Madison, and it sucks. Andy has become totally hypnotized by Dr. Doom's shiny, shiny forehead. The Abbotts continue to put the "fun" in "dysfunctional" when Amy forgets Harold's birthday, and Bright tries to cover. Call me, Bright!

Episode 2.14: "No Sure Thing"
It's February sweeps time when all the networks get desperate to reel in viewers. And you know what that means: SEX! Ephram and Madison have it, Amy and Tommy talk about having it but decide not to, and Andy and Dr. Doom really want to have it, but don't. At this rate, Bright never, ever will.

Episode 2.15: "The L Word"
Ephram tells Madison he loves her, and she doesn't handle it well. Amy tells Tommy it's not working out, and he doesn't handle it well. Linda babysits Delia, and she doesn't handle it well. Ephram and Bright share a hotel room, and I bet they handle it very well, indeed.

Episode 2.16: "Unspoken Truths"
Bright is totally smart! Amy's not, so she goes to a party with Tommy, gets high, and is visited by the Ghost of Colin Past. Nina's husband is divorcing her. Dr. Doom wants Andy to dump Nina, too. Madison can't sing, so Ephram gets drunk to numb the pain.

Episode 2.17: "Unfinished Business"
Carl Teh Gay is back to make trouble for Nina in their divorce hearing. Tommy is dumped by Amy, then Amy is dumped by all her bitchface friends. Ephram sees Madison's appalling dancing and promptly breaks up with her. Then Harold breaks up with Andy. No, really. Bright? Still rocks.

Episode 2.18: "Last Looks"
Ephram and Madison attempt to keep their relationship "professional" for Delia's sake, but it is Delia herself who out-adults them both. Bright is rejected by every college he applied to but finally accepted by his father. And Amy decides to go off Zoloft after seeing her dead boyfriend's mother at the drugstore.

Episode 2.19: "Sick"
Linda tells Delia about her HIV status. Delia makes Bratney pinky-swear she won't tell, so of course by noon the next day, the whole town knows. Ephram gets dumped, and Andy dumps Linda, whose eyebrows may have actually moved. Amy is still tolerable. Le gasp! Is this a trend?

Episode 2.20: "Do or Die"
Bright completes a 180 by transforming from a dateless wonder to the Prom King; he also willingly plays Cupid for Amy and Ephram. Andy's mentor reluctantly agrees to let his former student operate on him. Linda and her forehead leave town.
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@ MediaSharx

Everwood Episode 3.01: "For Every Action..."
A good episode, with a few reservations (Ephram’s "sideburns" being the top one).

Everwood Episode 3.02: "...There Is a Reaction"
Andy continues to keep Madison's secret, Harold oscillates wildly between calm father and wacky loon, and Ephram and Amy are back together. For now. Also? Venereal disease.

Episode 3.03: "Staking Claim"
A mother struggles to raise her autistic son, Edna and Andy "break up," and Ephram and Amy finally declare their love.

Episode 3.04: "The Birds and The Batteries"
Andy freaks out about Nina’s "electric" sex life, Amy is completely hateful, and Bright wears several black t-shirts. Well.

Episode 3.05: "Sacrifice"
Nina and Dr. Dimples go on a date, Andy meets the town saint, and Bright dumps Ephram.

Episode 3.06: "Shoot the Moon"
Harold and Ephram conspire to get Amy into Princeton, Irv and Edna don't think of "retirement" in the same way, and Ephram's hair continues to offend.

Episode 3.07: "Best Laid Plans"
Ephram's STD test gets everyone in town talking about Teh S3x, baby. Ephram and Amy decide to wait--at least until sweeps.

Episode 3.08: "The Tipping Point"
Andy and St. Celestia continue their twisted (and not in a good way) relationship, Bright disappoints Harold yet again, and Ephram bids farewell to Darth Vader.

Episode 3.09: "The Reflex"
Andy and St. Celestia tag along on Delia and Charlie's "date," Nina's son's accident brings her closer to Dr. Dimples, and--oh yeah--Amy and Ephram have sex.

Episode 3.10: "Need To Know"
Hannah reveals the truth about her father to Amy, Ephram thinks about contacting Madison, and Andy throws it all away when he kisses St. Celestia.

Episode 3.11: "Complex Guilt"
Andy's affair with St. Celestia manifests itself in a bleeding ulcer, Edna and Irv "take a break," and Amy manages to up the hate factor.

Episode 3.12: "Giving Up the Girl"
Nina and Jake finally kiss. There's other stuff, too, but we're trying to stay positive here.

Episode 3.13: "The Perfect Day"
The kids ditch school. Badly. Andy continues to see Amanda even after Nina voices her concerns about the relationship.

Episode 3.14: "Since You've Been Gone"
Amanda's back story does not gain my sympathy. But I like Bright and Jake just fine.

Episode 3.15: "Surprise"
Harold tells Amy about Madison's pregnancy, Bright's a pig, and Amanda finally realizes adultery is bad, mmmmkay?

Episode 3.16: "A Moment in Manhattan"
The Ephram-as-a-maybe-baby-daddy plot still isn't resolved after Ephram and Andy stumble into Madison in NYC. Sigh.

Episode 3.17: "Fate Accomplis"
Daddy issues? This ep's got 'em. Ephram's life crashes to a halt when Madison reveals he fathered a son, whom she gave up for adoption.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jake 2.0
Ah, remember the days of tiny, tiny robots?

Jake 2.0 Preview: In The Future, There Will Be Robots

Episode 1.01: "The Tech"

Episode 1.02: "Training Day"

Episode 1.03: "Cater Waiter"

Episode 1.04: "Arms and the Girl"

Episode 1.05: "The Good, the Bad, and the Geeky"
With All That Booze, Where Was Sarah?
"The Good, the Bad, and the Geeky" has Jake flitting off to Germany. Join him, won't you? And remember to bring your Euro Dollars!

Episode 1.06: "Last Man Standing"
A Little Ditty 'Bout Jake And Diane
Jake continues to stalk Sarah as he tracks her hotel reservations and eavesdrops on her room. Later, Diane straddles him on the bed. No stalking needed!

Episode 1.07: "Jerry 2.0"
We Are Family, Talking 'Bout My Brother and Me
In this episode, we learn that being endearing, smart, and cute does not run in the Foley family.

Episode 1.08: "Middleman"
Here I Am, Stuck in the Middle With You
Is it... is that... our first shout-out? Could it be? Really and truly? (Look, if it's not, don't tell us. Let us revel in our delusions.)

Episode 1.09: "Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot"
Jake Hears a Hoo-ah
Jake goes undercover with the Wolf Pack, an elite military squadron with a traitor in its midst. An hour later, the viewers cough up a wad of testosterone.

Episode 1.10: "The Spy Who Really Liked Me"
Nobody Does It Better
Jake has sex. Oh, come on, you know that's all you need to hear.

Episode 1.11: "Prince and the Revolution"
Hurry Boy, She's Waiting There For You
Jake serves as a bodyguard to The Cutie Who Would Be King. Except for the painful racial "humor" and not realizing the girlfriend was a sleeper planted to kill the prince, he does a pretty good job.
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Lost, Season 1

Episode 1.13: "Hearts and Minds"
We get Boone and Shannon’s back story. And lord, is it a doozy.

Episode 1.15: "Homecoming"
Charlie just wants to "take care of" the women in his life... by using a gun, apparently.

Episode 1.19: "Deux Ex Machina"
Locke's faith in the island is put to the test, with catastrophic consequences for his padawan, Boone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Smallville, Season 8

Episode 8.09: "Abyss"
Previously on Smallville, a lot of stuff happened. Chloe used her healing power to weaken Brianiac, but he infected her brain and now she can download information like whoa. Clark frets; Chloe chooses to look at this new power as a gift. Jor-El wasn't happy with Clark's defiance (is he ever?) and warns of consequences. Clark was certain he can cure Chloe if he can retrieve the blue crystal and rebuild the fortress that Lex helped destroy with his glowing purple orb. (Oh Lex. How we pine for you.) Davis woke up naked or covered in other people's blood with no memories. Davis felt as if Chloe were sent to him. Chloe harshly informed Clark that he doesn't get how much Chloe spends her life protecting his secret. Chloe used her white-eyed Brainiac powers to bring back Clark and Kara from the Phantom Zone and push Oliver across the room. Oliver warns Clark to stop Chloe before it's too late for her. (Sadly, this is Ollie's only appearance this week.) Chloe thinks she and Davis should take a break. Faora, Zod's wife and escapee of the Phantom Zone, possessed Lois, informed Davis/Doomsday that he is genetic matter AND her son, and then skewered him with a metal rod to make him stronger. Aw, mommy! You do love me best.

Episode 8.10: "Bride"
Feste asked me to step into her recapping shoes again this week, claiming some sort of snafu with her cable company. However, I think she wanted to avoid writing about the dreadful monster that has come to Smallville to take over and destroy what has been, for the most part, a surprisingly strong season. That's right. I'm talking about... Lana Lang. She is the true portent of capital-D-Doom here, people. Make no mistake.
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lost, everwood, jake 2.0, smallville, tar, recapist

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