catching up on tv

[healingmirth]

as someone pointed out last night "you have nothing to do - how is it that you're behind on watching tv? you should be caught up on everything!" so I sat down (an actiony sitting, as opposed to my previous lazy sitting) to catch up on The Office and Dollhouse, which have nothing to do with one another.

I've been missing The Office, and feeling guilty about it, because I've been busy being a giant geek on Thursdays, but I think I'm sort of over it. I'm confused by the fact that I seem to be watching The Office for the plot, which doesn't really fly. I want, like an entire episode composed of cold opens. And more Dwight. So:

Let's pretend that Oscar's story is about Andy. Or, was a test-run for Andy. I don't care, I ship Oscar/Andy like whoa now; it's all I want out of life.

Dwight keeps a diary to keep secrets from his computer! (His sentient computer! Please, please let that be an intentional reference!)

Again, HorseBoat! Vastly superior to Duck Tours.

Despite my vast love for Dwight, I'm still unsettled by the post-breakup Andy/Angela/Dwight storyline stuff. Also, when Dwight quit before, wasn't it because he was protecting Angela? So really glad he didn't take the fall this time. I hate that I have so little faith in tv writers now that I don't know whether they do stuff like that on purpose. The Office writers deserve better of me.

So, Dollhouse. I don't remember whether I said anything about the second episode, which I felt was just a horrible rehash of the pilot. One of my friends (25 year old guy) claimed that it got better, so the question is whether to listen to him and watch some more episodes, or fold under the pressure that I sort of feel from various fandoms to write it off as a hack job. Or, you know, make up my own mind.

Episode 3: Stage Fright
I was actually pretty happy with this. I liked her going off-script (as usual...) and completing the objective in a wholly unanticipated way. Unfortunately, I can't look at Echo and not see Faith, and I *hated* Faith. Too many of Echo's assignments have her set into bad-girl/party-girl cocky mode, and while I understand that can go with the territory of being highly competent at whatever she does, and its a good foil for the blank slate, I'm getting a little tired of it.

Let's see, what else. Hooray, new girl. Hooray friends. Hooray twist in the Agent Ballard storyline so that we're not all la la la telling two totally separate stories. I guess it would have been too much to ask for the pretty, innocuous neighbor to be the doll :( But what was up with that little headshake from Echo at the end?

Episode 4: Gray Hour
Apparently people don't love Topher. That's okay, I love him enough for everyone. Seriously, I just want to be entertained, and I find him entertaining.

Also, hello, Agent Lee! So, from straight-laced NCIS agent with the clandestine office sexcapades office romance, to Topher-worshipping neophyte. I'm not sure that's a step up, despite my love for Topher, and I'm also, now, somewhat dubious about the Dollhouse's hiring practices. She seems a little too Abby-free-spirit-ish. Maybe the passion for knowledge angle is enough to make confidentiality agreements and whatnot enough for her? Which begs the question, who does the janitorial and maintenance work in the Dollhouse? Clearly, they could program their own people to do it. God, how awesome would it be if it turned out that more of the "independent" people within the Dollhouse were actives? I mean, it'd be a little to Matrix, but it'd be a fun surprise. I wonder if they wield the threat of erasure over anyone who tried to spill the secrets, or if they'd just kill them.

So, actual episode, a solid B. Interesting new twist and tidbit about Alpha (not just a ninja!), curious about Echo, Sierra, and Victor. Enjoyed the misdirect about the bachelor party (hi, Bra'tac!) thoroughly. A little confused by the midwife bit (I think I someone else say this, but why would you not just hire an actual midwife? I can only assume it's someone who needs the memory of the birth wiped from other people's minds after it happens? Hence no hospital, etc, but if that's the case, would have liked some indication), but pleasantly surprised to have an opening job where she's not a whore.

And, no cut tag for Episode 5: True Believer. I just really like this show.

I also caught the premiere of this season of Dancing with the Stars. I was sort of over it last season, which made me sad, but maybe this one will be better. I haven't been watching TMZ, and I feel like I'm behind the curve...

Since when are Maks and Carina engaged? Apparently I have no idea who Lil Kim is, because I swear I have never seen her before. And I'm curious how they can claim that Julianne and whoever are the first real couple paired up. Does that mean the rest of them were showmances, or was this why he was cast?