Paper Whiskers

Photo on a Friday

I have a couple of posts in the works, but in the meantime, here's something cute to look at.

:)

what I'm watching (tv edition)

September is the time when most TV shows start up again with new episodes. It's time to find out how the cliffhangers in April will be wrapped up and new shows are tried out (and usually fail).

Hawaii Five-O (CBS) - A remake of the classic cop show starring Jack Lord, this show is pure candy and my current favorite show (after Criminal Minds). It's filmed on location in Hawaii, so the scenery is stunning. All the actors are amazing-looking, especially Alex O'Loughlin. He's got the most expressive face and is fun to watch. I've actually been a fan of his since his brilliant portrayal of a serial killer in Criminal Minds (season 4's "The Big Wheel"), so he's the main reason I started watching in the first place. That, and I love buddy cop banter. He and Scott Caan excel at this. Their 'carguments' are hysterical.

Castle (ABC) - As a show about a writer shadowing a NY homicide detective, this is basically a showcase for Nathan Fillion, but it works. He and his costar, Stana Katic, have great chemistry and seem to have a lot of fun with their characters' relationship. I'm not terribly into the show, but it is a nice thing to have on in the background. It's light and fun, but has it's moments of serious as well. Last season ended on a huge cliffhanger, so I watched the season premiere to see what happened, but the episode in general was very different in tone to how it usually is, so I will be interested to see how it continues.

Criminal Minds (CBS) - My favorite show, this one can be very disturbing, but it's balanced by the relationships between the characters. That's why I keep watching every week. It's really unusual to see this level of caring on a cop/procedural these days and I think it's the reason they keep getting renewed. Yes, tracking and capturing serial killers is fascinating to watch, but it's also dark and achingly sad at times. With characters who obviously care about each other, it's easier to take.

The last couple years have been a bit off, quality-wise, while adapting to a new writing team, and last year they fired two of the actors (both women). It was a major mistake, and the fans were furious. This year they've thankfully fixed that and brought them both back. I'm very interested to see how their characters re-integrate into the team. That's the other great thing about this show - there are consequences. Character arcs matter, and are not forgotten. So this most recent event will most likely have repercussions within the team.

Eureka (SyFy) - This quirky show airs split seasons during the "off-season." 4.5 just finished up, with a terrific cliffhanger to lead into their fifth and final season next year. It's based around a small town of geniuses who have been discovering/developing major (and minor) scientific developments for decades. Sheriff Carter is the classic "everyman" who says all the things the audience is thinking about each week's shenanigans. It's developed into a great little show, and has only gotten better each year. This past season, in particular has been excellent. Colin Ferguson, as Carter, especially has been fun to watch. It's good to have a show that will make you consistently laugh each week. I'm very disappointed that SyFy chose to cancel it.

The Vampire Diaries (CW) - This is one of those guilty-pleasure shows that I don't feel guilty about admitting to watching. It's fast-paced, the acting is terrific, and the plot continually surprises. It's also the only show that Eric and I make a point to sit and watch together, so there's that. We mainlined the first two seasons and got completely hooked into it. If you've never seen it, and want to, be aware that the first five episodes are the weakest but are necessary to setup the world of the show and explain how everything works. After that, everyone hits their stride and the rollercoaster begins in earnest. It's great.

C.S.I. (CBS) - The original CSI is the best. It's fluctuated in quality in the last few years, reflecting the upheaval of the star (William Petersen) leaving the show. But they weathered it pretty well, I think and it's been interesting to see how the rest of the characters have dealt with the changes. This is the first airdate change they've had, however, which usually signals the beginning of the end. I'm hopeful that in this case, it won't. It now airs after Criminal Minds on Wednesday, so it's in good company.

tv squee on a Wednesday

I'm working on a longer, overview post of all the shows I'm catching up on now that the regular tv season has started, but I had to throw up a quick reaction post to the premiere of Hawaii Five-O.

OMG!!!! 

They ended last season with one of the lead co-stars in jail (with various other things going on), and all summer I've been wondering how they would resolve it. And resolve it they did; quite well actually even with all the plotholes (I don't watch for the plot - LOL). There was tons of great stuff in the episode, most notably the interaction between the two leads (Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan) was better than ever. They play off each other so well, it's fun to watch.

But. The thing that has me still impressed and flabbergasted was the very last shot of the episode. It's the kind of thing that would work extremely well as a season ender, so seeing it at the end of the season premiere was very surprising. I was sitting next to my Dad, so couldn't swear quite as loudly or effectively as I wanted, but I did on the drive home. I literally did not see that twist coming. It was awesome. I cannot wait to see how it plays out.

(Alex O'Loughlin, as Steve McGarrett, in the season premiere)

currents on a Wednesday morning

(photo taken this past weekend - Eric was helping Will go down the slide)

listening: Owl City's Bright and Beautiful album; it's perfect for listening to at work; very peaceful

eating: late breakfast of TLC blackberry cereal bars

drinking: water

wearing: argyle sweater shirt, grey pants, black Born shoes

feeling: tired

weather: It's starting to get cooler again. Summer is officially over, I guess. They are even predicting first frost tonight.

wanting: hot cocoa - it's time to lay in a stash of cocoa and tea packets for my office drawer

needing:  shoes to wear with tan slacks - I don't know what the fashion rules say, but I'm fairly sure I shouldn't wear black shoes with them. Need to do some research and find a pair. I need to go clothes shopping in general. Need a few more fall/winter pieces; and even more urgently, a dress for an October wedding I'm attending.

thinking: I really hate clothes shopping; I'm not looking forward to dress shopping.

enjoying: a quiet office

watching: season 3 of Castle

anticipating: all the new premieres during the next few weeks; most especially Hawaii Five-O, as they ended on a major cliffhanger last season