TV:

Survivor 18×14,15: What a finale. This has to be one of my favourite seasons so far. I was actually torn between who I wanted to win it, but after thinking about it I was glad JT got the million. He was the best overall player, he did outwit, outlast and out survive everyone else. He managed to stab so many people in the back, and they loved him for it. He was consistently strong at challenges and also didn’t slack at camp. Stephen did himself no favours with his speeches though when confronted by the jury, he scrambled and got worked up, JT’s hurt expression when Stephen said he would of taken Erinn with him also really backed him into a corner. It was uncomfortable to watch Stephen struggling to stay composed, but I’m sure JT loved it, he played right into his hands.

The reunion, as always, is very interesting, especially to see how all the survivors look clean and fattened up from western life. Coach seemed less crazy than usual, but this is probably because he has now seen the US media reaction to his tall tales and calmed down a little on the dramatics. He did however take a lie detector test to prove his amazon story was true. I don’t doubt though that he could pass a lie detector test as I’m sure when he tells those stories he doesn’t actually think he is lying. He also mentioned that he’s writing a book, as much as I don’t want to give Coach Wade my money, I have to say I’d be tempted to hear about his other stories, no doubt he will make up an elaborate one about his time in exile.

Overall, great season, bring on Survivor: Samoa

The Mentalist 1×23: Another Red John centric episode, and another good one. They are progressively showing more and more the intellect and forethought of this serial killer, and how off kilter the thought of him sends Patrick Jane. Throughout this episode we see him struggle to remain composed and keep up his facade, but it is clear that the thoughts of walking in Red Johns footsteps is getting to him. It ends with Jane committing his first murder (albeit in self defense of a colleague), Janes character is evolving, and I wonder what kind of person he will be when he actually does confront Red John face to face.

Breaking Bad 2×11: This has to be my favourite show on the tube at the moment. I loved the slow, quite opening that really built the tension. It’s taking a twist now with Walter starting to realize he doesn’t need Jesse anymore. Jesse is digging himself further into the hole of drug addiction, by surrounding himself with an enabler now. With Saul and now Walters new buyer he no longer will need Jesse. I can’t see Jesse just breaking his ties with Walter that quickly though.

Chuck 1×04: Good episode, but like I said before, the show seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. This episode felt like a cross between sitcom, comedy and … I kid you not… an episode of Pamela Andersons “VIP”. The fighting isn’t genuine or choreographed well enough to be taken seriously, but the comedy isn’t good enough to be laugh-out-loud funny either. I’ll stick with it though to see if it gets better as it progresses. I would of liked more tech geek/gamer jokes though.

Dollhouse 1×12: What a horrible finale, the writing was abysmal. I can’t believe this show got a second season and The Sarah Connor Chronicles has been canceled. The scenes with Echo talking to Alpha where just cringeworthy. Alpha is unbelieveable as a character and Dushku needs to take some acting lessons. Also, the fact that Ballard is now working with the Dollhouse, the organization hes been hunting and nearly died to uncover is rediculous. I also never understood why the security in the Dollhouse is so lax, and why, after numerous break outs/ins and information leaks it hasn’t been improved. The doctor turning out to be a doll was another transparent twist. I also predict that Victor will be imprinted to track down Alpha next season. However I doubt I will find this out for definite as I don’t imagine I’ll be watching next season unless it greatly improves.

TV:

Lost S5x16,17: This was a 2 hour season finale (1hr25 without ads *wink*). I kept thinking throughout watching it that 50 years from now I’ll still think about this show. Very few shows in recent history have created as much hype or have had such an intriguing plot and characters. I thought the finale was excellent. The fight between Sawyer and Jack was so visceral. Also the look on Sawyers face when he had to let go was chilling. That being said, the Jacob story has raised more questions than answers, also where are Claire and Christian?

Survivor S18x13: Survivor is one of my guilty pleasures. I usually hate most reality TV but Mark Burnett knows how to make good TV. As each season ends, after getting to know the survivors over so many weeks I think to myself “they can’t top this again next season”, but they have. This season they introduced a character that is sure to go down in the survivor annals as one of the most unique. It is magnificent car-crash TV. The guy is a consummate liar, narcissist and attention seeker, and requests that he be called “coach”… because he coaches a woman’s football team in RL. This week he got blind sided and voted off. JT, the quite southerner, is proving to be a master strategist, but I think Stephen, his accomplish in crime, got one up on him. I’d say JT wanted to take Coach to the final, knowing full well no one would give him the million. The finale is already out, so I guess I’ll find how this season ends tonight.

30 Rock S2x22: Another season over. I only really got into this show recently and blitzed through all 3 seasons. The show is very good. The writing is brilliant, and the characters will appeal to everyone, regardless of what they find funny. This episode had Jack dealing with his supposed lost father, Milton, who wanted one of his Kidneys. It also had a side plot with Tracy trying to deal with a traumatic childhood memory from school. Tracy Morgan is my new favourite comedian, I find his character hilarious, especially in how he bounces of Kenneth. There is something intentionally forced about his lines that make him seem equally crazed as well as sarcastic. If you haven’t watched this show, now would be the best time to start, as you’ve got 3 glorious seasons to soak up before the 4th one starts.

Chuck S1x02, 03: Watched 2 more episodes of the first season of Chuck. I’m liking it, although, I’m not sure what it’s trying to be. On one hand it tries to be a drama, then on the other hand a comedy, with some action and fights in the middle. It feels a little thrown together. But then it is a new season, I always try and see out the entire season before rendering judgement. So far, it shows promise, but it definitely isn’t grabbing like Heroes or Prison Break did in the first few episodes.

Film:

Valkyrie: Starring Tom Cruise mainly. Like Titanic, the ending is kinda ruined before the movie has begun because you already know how it ends, unlike Titanic, there was really no side character development to distract from this. Overall I liked it, but I’ll never watch it again. Tom Cruises character is completely wooden, showing little to no emotional turmoil in his choice in actions, and his plot to assassinate Hitler. He speaks of the oath that the army took to Hitler, which they will not easily break, yet Toms character seems to have no problem with breaking this oath about 5 minutes into the movie. Watch it for the set pieces and action sequences, just let the plot wash over you.