TAR and 24

[arabian]

Thoughts ...

The Amazing Race -- Aww, this was good. And, yay, one of the annoying couples is gone already. The other is, of course, Linda and Steve -- mostly Steve. Ugh, why do you cast couples like this, show?!?! Ugh. Still, I really liked five teams so far --

- Mike/Mel (the gay father/son - writer of School of Rock)
- Victoria/Brad (?) (the older Ohio couple)
- The stuntmen for kids

And my two faves ...

- Cara/Jaime (The redheads, they're coming across as smart and capable so far, I like)
- Margie/Luke (Mother/deaf son)

I was so happy for them when they came in first, and I honestly did tear up when Phil used sign language to say they were team number one. Awwwwwwwwww.

24 -- Well, this episode was 'you take the good, you take the bad .. and sometimes you get an outstanding moment, too.' Overall, tight episode, good action, good acting, etc. I liked that the slimy, obvious guy who we thought was the mole, but then couldn't really be the mole because he was too obvious IS the mole! I like that Bill and Chloe were brought in; President Taylor was nicely decisive while still being sweet about her hubby. Still no Tony, but really, I don't care. I was never a huge Tony fan before, I liked him, but could do or do without him and this season is proving that even more for me. Plus, it makes sense that he wouldn't be as involved at this stage, since after all, he DID do truly illegal things for truly mercenary reasons. Oh, and scruffy-longer-haired Bill is still hot.

The bad? Ugh, Chloe's still with Morris. Ugh! He's lame and cliched, they're cliched and they have no chemistry and it's just ugh! ugh! ugh! Why show?!?! Why!?!?!?!? I damn well know that there was an overall negative reaction to Morris and Chloe/Morris ... so why!?!?!? UGH. UGH. UGH.

Also, bad? Agent Walker. I want to like her, but she's so boring and bland. Yes, I get what they're doing with her and in relation to Jack, but ugh, the actress is so by the numbers and she and Kiefer Sutherland have ANTI-CHEMISTRY! And that's made even more obvious by the fact that she actually DOES have FANTASTIC chemistry with the guy playing Larry Moss. Even on the phone, they're intense and sweet and connected, and she's actually likable and real in connection with him. Perfect example: The dramatic scenes in this and last episode between her and Larry felt real and genuinely emotional. The preview for next week where she's yelling at and slapping Jack just look like: Ooh! Dramatic Acting! Ooh! Blah. She and Jack just SUCK together. Blah, blah, blah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say the biggest bummer for me is that once again, obviously NO JACK AND CHLOE!!! STUPID, SHOW!!! STUPID!!!!

Still, I did get my outstanding moment: AARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When we saw the badge flipped open and then he started to talk to the President's daughter (even before he said his name) I squealed with joy because I recognized his voice. AARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost forgive you for the Morris, Chloe/Morris, Agent Walker-when-not-with-Larry, Agent Walker/Jack crapola for Aaron. Still, it's almost! Grrr!!

Comments

[harper47.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't think they are ever going to go Chloe/Jack. I think they like having Jack free to hook up with random people.

And yes, Aaron was fun. I do disagree about Tony because I adore him and loved the dynamic he brought into the earlier episodes.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have a problem with hooking Jack up to random people if they actually crafted GOOD people to hook him up to. I did like Terri (his wife) and he actually DID have chemistry with the Mexican girl from S2 (I think), but other than that? Blah!!!!

Oh, I know I'm in the minority with Tony, LOL!

[eolivet.livejournal.com]

Ugh, Chloe's still with Morris.

I didn't get why that was necessary, actually -- especially since you've said that the fan reaction is not favorable for that couple. I mean, this isn't Tony/Michelle or even Bill/Karen. We could've lived without seeing Chloe with Morris, or even her kid (Preston...somehow, doesn't sound like a "Chloe" name to me ;p )

she and Kiefer Sutherland have ANTI-CHEMISTRY! And that's made even more obvious by the fact that she actually DOES have FANTASTIC chemistry with the guy playing Larry Moss.

Agreed...and if they're trying to set up a triangle, it's just...not working. Every time Larry gets on the phone with Renee, his face just says it all. :p

(Next week's confrontation really does look ridiculous...my goodness. I thought 24 was above that kind of melodrama :/ )

As for TAR, I know I shouldn't be rooting for Luke and Margie, but...you can't deny it makes a really, really good story. ;p

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't you be rooting for them? It's a great story, it's true that just because someone is deaf doesn't mean they are less than. And they are showing themselves as worthy competition right now.

Agreed, SO AGREED on all your 24 thoughts.

[eolivet.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't you be rooting for them?

Bad word choice...CBS has set it up so that I should want to root for them, and those are the contestants I usually immediately root against (Ron/Kelly were one example -- the whole marine wrapping-himself-in-the-flag thing. Uchenna/Joyce, to an extent, as well) But Luke and Margie just seem so nice and genuine...they melt even my cynical reality heart. :)

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. I see. But you know what, they can set them up that way, but usually the truth of who they are comes out. Ron/Kelly annoyed while on-air, and Joyce/Uchenna revealed themselves after the show, and I honestly think that the show built them up (and cut out all of their aruging -- which apparently there was a LOT of) because they knew how tricky that finale was and with J/U winning they didn't want to piss people off.

Wah! Rob and Amber so shoulda won!!!