Hellcats
Poor cancelled show. It totally ran out of gas in the last half of the season. I got whiplash with Alice/Jake (who I really liked), Alice/Lewis, and Kathy/Lewis. And I think the show lost its way when Marti and Savannah were given completely separate storylines with their families instead of focusing on their relationship with each other and their team. It’s too bad. This was a fun cast!

Gossip Girl
Oh show. I can’t quit you. Even though you fail to give Nate any meaningful storylines (at least he’s good for eye candy), can’t seem to commit to consistent characterizations (Blair, Chuck, their relationship), and keep introducing the C-R-A-Z-Y (Juliet, now Ivy). But despite all that, I’m so on board for next season. Serena in LA. Blair’s wedding that is SO not going to happen. A secret pregnancy. Dan’s tell-all book!!! I hope there’s room to develop the Dan and Blair friendship even more. I can’t help that I love them so.

Grey’s Anatomy
%$#@ has hit the fan! And it’s pretty damn depressing. Like REALLY. I’m torn. Especially about Cristina/Owen and their pregnancy. Isn’t this her second unplanned pregnancy? Shouldn’t someone who clearly (it’s practically written on her forehead) doesn’t want kids be more careful? So I’m sympathetic but at the same time I’m not. (I realize that sounds weird). And while I agree with Owen that Cristina shouldn’t make a decision about abortion without him, I also feel like he was trying to guilt-trip her which bothers me. And then there’s Meredith/Derek. I’m inclined to side with Derek about the clinical trial because that’s a professional issue and Meredith was wrong to switch the medicine. But leaving her? Stranded with their newly adopted baby? These storylines are rubbing me the wrong way. But I’ll keep watching because I’m a sucker.

Nikita
I liked this show from the beginning but the quality really got better and better as the season progressed. The finale was especially great. I’m a sucker for a great love story (Nikita and Michael on the run, yay!) but this show reeled me in with Nikita and Alex. And to see the conflict and tension between them in the finale killed me. It’ll be interesting to see the two of them working against each other (well, at least from Alex’s point of view). And I’m excited that the plot seems to be moving at a good pace now that the show has found its footing.

The Vampire Diaries
My current favorite show next to The Good Wife. I actually think the penultimate episode of the season felt more like a finale (with the ritual and the epic deaths) than the actual finale, which was mostly set-up for next season. I’m not terribly enamored by Damon/Elena (I like her with Stefan, what can I say) but I’m intrigued by Jeremy seeing dead people (Anna!) and the return of Stefan the Ripper. Should be GOOD.

Annnddd that’s it.

Oh. Except that at some point I need to finish watching the last 2 episodes of Smallville. OOPS.

Now to figure out my Fall TV schedule…

Chuck – A
One of the few shows I have to watch immediately. I love it. The past couple of seasons have been really solid with the story arcs about The Ring and Chuck’s mom and I’m so happy that Chuck and Sarah are a REAL couple! And they’ve been together since last season! I’ve always hated how fleeting TV relationships usually are. Chuck and Sarah prove that there’s always drama to mine in any romantic relationship (especially since they’re spies!).

Hawaii Five-0 – B+
This show isn’t reinventing the genre or anything but I enjoy it. Doesn’t hurt that Steve and Danno are totally HOT (and totally in a bromance — come on, they banter back and forth every single episode). But as much as I love Scott Caan, I’m not sure why he was nominated for a Golden Globe for this show. He’s basically playing himself!

Gossip Girl – B+
This season’s major story arc (so far) involving Juliet and her obsession with revenge against Serena is so ridiculously over the top. But that’s what I love about this show. I may not care for her but I have to admit that Juliet brought new life to the Upper East Side with all her mischief-making. Minimal Jenny and Vanessa is also a good thing. It’s too bad because I actually like both characters — the writers just don’t know what to do with them and they no longer have any redeeming qualities. I’m also intrigued by the thought of Dan/Blair. I used to ship Chuck/Blair but that relationship is seriously MESSED UP and beyond repair (I loved them so this is really disappointing). Blair deserves much better.

No Ordinary Family – C
Ehhh. I don’t know. This could actually be a decent show (they have the acting talent!) but it’s just so bland. There’s no spark. I expected much more from Greg Berlanti. But I’ll probably stick it out until the end of the season to see if it gets better. If not, I probably won’t tune in next season (if I’m being honest, I don’t think the show will get renewed; the ratings are pretty dismal).

Glee – B
I have a lot of issues with this show (treatment of Will and Rachel’s characters, portrayal of women, Kurt making everything all about him, etc) but I can’t help it. I love the singing! And sometimes there are flashes of brilliance as evidenced by The Duets and The Substitute, which are episodes that reminded me why I love these characters and why I continue to watch the show. I also discovered Darren Criss this season — he’s a new favorite!

One Tree Hill – C-
Same old show. I seriously can’t believe it’s on its 8th season. WHAT. As per usual, the show is slow-paced and isn’t scared to put its characters into unbelievably melodramatic situations (the stalker turned shooter comes to mind). At this point, I’m only watching for Brooke and Julian’s wedding and to see if the writers can give Nathan and Haley a storyline worthy of their awesomeness. I could care less about Clay/Quinn (OMG, most snooze-worthy relationship EVER) and Chase/Alex (I’m *still* in shock that Stephen Colletti is on this show — from none other than Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County).

The Good Wife – A-
A favorite. This season hasn’t been as good overall as the first. It feels like the writers are trying too hard to match the magic of the first season. Even still, it’s miles better than most other shows on the major broadcast networks. Anyway, I’m torn about the new characters — I wanted so badly to like Bond (Michael Ealy) and Blake (I’m a huge fan of Scott Porter’s from Friday Night Lights) but they’re not layered enough characters for me to understand their motivations. All I know is that they’re taking away precious air time from the characters I love, like Kalinda! But the season seems to be ramping up for some interesting reveals and I’m looking forward to it.

Modern Family – B+
I’m normally not a sitcom person but this one is HILARIOUS! The kids are the best. Especially Manny! It’s nice to have some levity on my TV schedule.

Part 2 in the next few days…

Second. I’m finally caught up with Gossip Girl. WTF is up with all the partner-swapping?!? GRRR.

Third. Another WTF to tonight’s episode of 90210. Silver is a whole new brand of kerrrazy.

Fourth. I just LOVE the tagline for the new Fast and Furious movie. NEW MODEL. ORIGINAL PARTS. Hehe, that is awesome.

Now. I started this part of the entry waaaaayyyyy back in November and never finished it. Oopsie. I had already written half of it so I figure better late than never.

So I finally finished the last 2 books in the Twilight series. Some thoughts (possible spoilers)…

Eclipse
I think this might be my favorite of the 4 books. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this book. I still don’t like Bella much (I just do not find her relatable) and I’m not a huge fan of love triangles in general but this book was different. In New Moon, I was irritated by her relationship with Jacob. How she could manipulate and use him the way she did. I didn’t feel that here. There was something more. There was a real push and pull in her feelings for Edward and Jacob. I saw that in her stubborn intent to face immortality (because she knew how it felt to live without Edward) but also in her reciprocation of Jacob’s kiss (a reminder of the human life she was leaving behind). But what I’m most happy about is that she made a choice. A final one at that. (There’s nothing worse than a waffling character – I’m looking at you, Joey Potter).

Apart from the love triangle, there was much more happening with the other characters, which is probably why I liked this book so much — discovering Rosalie and Jasper’s pasts, learning about the werewolves as individuals and as a pack (imprinting, how the pack developed over the years), and the joint effort between the vampires and the werewolves to fight Victoria and the newborns. All good stuff.

Also, remember how I said that Jacob was possibly my favorite character in an earlier blog entry? Yeah, I take that back. Still like him but he got on my nerves in this book.

Breaking Dawn
After liking Eclipse so much, I was disappointed in the final book. My memory is a little hazy now but the beginning (wedding/honeymoon) and end (the battle, Jacob/Renesmee) were just too perfect. Bella made her choice but never experienced any of the consequences of making that decision. Instead, she gets everything she ever wanted… to be a vampire, Edward as her husband, Jacob as part of her family, a newborn baby, etc. Ehhh. Everything felt forced, almost unrelated to the previous three. The series should have ended with Eclipse.

Random: I just realized that Twilight is on its way to me from Netflix. It should be here tomorrow. I may not be a huge fan of the books but the movie exists on a whole different level (mostly because of Robert Pattinson). Hee. I’m excited to watch it.

OMG OMG OMG! Everwood: Season 2 is finally coming out on DVD. I’m so pre-ordering it right now.

Now a meme…
Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given.

Sarah gave me the following:

1. Gossip Girl

My favorite show of the moment (though sadly I’m a few episodes behind). I’m addicted to teen dramas and GG fits the bill perfectly. What’s not to love about gorgeous Upper East Siders, their relationship dramas and overly extravagant lifestyles? Nothing, I tell you. Blair is my favorite character by far. Her insecurities (about Serena, her mom, boys, etc) make her self-obsessed, stubborn and sometimes cruel but I find her to be a fiercely loyal and incredibly compelling and flawed character. Not to mention that she’s got great style! I became (and still am) obsessed with headbands and colored tights because of her. No, I’m not kidding.

As far as my shipping preferences on this show, I’m pretty traditional. I ADORE Blair and Chuck (they are smoking together). And I also like Dan and Serena. I don’t know why either. I like Serena well enough as an individual character but I have to admit that Dan kinda sucks. But for some reason, I find them really sweet together.

Anyway, I’m so happy this show was renewed for next season — I just need to get cracking and get caught up.

2. Teen Dramas

Ah, yes. Sarah knows me well. Teen dramas are my favorite kind of TV show. I love them. I’m drawn to them. I can’t help it. It all started back when 90210 premiered. I was only 11 so I wasn’t supposed to watch it since it wasn’t exactly age-appropriate but I did anyway. I loved the West Beverly crew and I had a huge crush on Brandon. I remember buying BOP magazine each month because they used to have so many “posters” of Jason Priestley. Hee.

Then in high school when the WB launched, it was like they created a network for ME! The WB gave me Buffy, Dawson’s Creek (my most favorite show ever, if you don’t know), Felicity, Roswell, One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls to name a few. Sure, I watch and enjoy procedurals and dramas like CSI, 24, and Prison Break but I’m not as invested in (and as obsessed with) the storylines and characters as I am with my teen dramas. There’s just something about them.

3. Diesel

My little baby puppy. Ok, I have to admit that when Rob originally wanted to get a dog, I didn’t want to get one. I didn’t want the responsibility. But Rob had his heart set on it so I agreed. He found Diesel through a registered AKC breeder and we went to visit him one weekend in May 07 and my heart just melted. I love him so much.

4. Pacey/Joey

My OTP forever and ever. (One True Pairing ) I don’t know if I’ll ever love another TV couple as much as I love Pacey and Joey. Their journey took me by surprise and I loved watching every minute of it — their sarcastic banter (all of season 1), their genuine friendship (dance lessons, driving lessons, the B&B), and finally their romance (“I remember everything” dance, Pacey buying Joey a wall, sailing away on True Love). Even now, 6 years after Dawson’s Creek has gone off the air, I still pop in my DVDs to watch my favorite moments or visit Pages of True Love to get my fanfic fix. I don’t think I’ll ever change.

5. California

I’ve lived in beautiful California my entire life. I was born and raised in sunny Southern CA (in a sleepy town called Cerritos, to be exact). I moved up to the Bay Area for college where I ended up staying for 11+ years. And now I’m back in Orange County (no, my life is nothing like The OC). I feel very lucky to have experienced different parts of the state and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

That was fun!

I am *so* dreading work tomorrow. I’ve been having a rough few weeks. My boss recently had surgery so she hasn’t been in the office very much. Because of this, there are buying responsibilities for a major client that have filtered down to my desk that honestly, I’m not comfortable with handling. I’m only a junior Media Buyer — I really shouldn’t be making some of these decisions. And when I turn to upper management for help, I don’t think they take my concerns seriously. It’s unbelievably frustrating. To make things worse, the planners at the agency that we work with are some of the most uptight, unfriendly people I’ve ever had the (dis)pleasure of working with. It doesn’t make for a fun work environment. I think I’m going to look for a new job after the wedding. I just have absolutely no idea what I want to do. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to stay in media. I hate the long hours and the stress. But I’ve been in this industry for 5 years… I don’t really know anything else. Maybe I can be an assistant again (this is how I got my start after college)… is that weird? You’re supposed to move up the corporate ladder, not back. I just don’t know. *sigh*

Anyway, new TV always cheers me up! (Comments on Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, Gossip Girl, Smallville, CSI).

Dirty Sexy Money
Greg Berlanti rocks! I’m such a huge fan of his shows (Dawson’s Creek, Brothers and Sister, Everwood, Jack and Bobby) so I *knew* DSM would be great. And it was. It really, really was. The cast is huge but I felt like the pilot did a fantastic job at introducing all of them. The ringtones for all the characters were hilarious. So far, I really like the Darling daughters — Karen and Juliet. Actually, I like them all — they’re all so ridiculously immature and over the top. And the murder mystery is a great layer to this show. Love it.

Gossip Girl
The second episode was even better than the first! The whole brunch was AWESOME. And Gossip Girl said “Fustercluck.” HEE! KBell has such great delivery.

Private Practice
Disappointing. I didn’t love the introductory episode on Grey’s Anatomy last season but I liked it enough (with the exception of that silly talking elevator) to follow Addison to this show. I’ve really grown to love the character (and Kate Walsh) so I wanted this show to be good. (Plus, it has Taye Diggs, Christopher Lowell, Tim Daly, etc). But it just wasn’t. It felt like it was trying a little *too* hard, what with the nude dancing, the “tension” created by Naomi not telling the other partners about hiring Addison, the annoying Chief at the hospital and Addison’s “big” speech at the end. I really hope it gets better.

Smallville
Boring. *yawn* Nothing really happened that was surprising. Sure, Supergirl showed up but she was in ALL the promos for the premiere so that wasn’t anything new. Chloe survived. With her newly revealed power, the writers haven’t really used her enough yet so I didn’t think she was going to end up dead. And OF COURSE, Lana planned her death. There is no way this show would kill her off. (Her wig looked ridiculous, by the way). Yet I still watch (let’s hope this is the last season).

CSI
What can I say… solid episode. But a little slow. Loved the ending with Grissom holding Sara’s hand in the helicopter. I wouldn’t call myself a shipper but that was a really sweet moment between them. Not enough Warrick, though.

I also watched the Prison Break and Gossip Girl premieres.

Prison Break
I’m not feeling it. The direction of this season doesn’t really interest me. I don’t like SONA (and all its internal politics) and I don’t like Michael having to break out of prison AGAIN (although seeing Linc on the other side makes me appreciate his character much more — I’ve never truly cared about him except when it comes to LJ). And where’s Sarah Wayne Callies? I don’t think I saw her name in the credits. *sniff* But ok, Wentworth Miller totally sold Michael’s sad, sad plight to me (GAWD, WM is gorgeous even when he’s scared and anxious). Also, T-Bag still creeps me out. Big time. I’ll probably keep watching, though, because Rob still enjoys the show and I don’t think there’s anything else I want to watch in the same timeslot.

Gossip Girl
YOU KNOW I LOVED IT. Hehehe. Ok ok, the narration felt a little heavy-handed and there was too much of it, but wow, I think Kristen Bell is absolutely perfect. She has the kind of voice you just pay attention to. As for the characters, I think Dan is my favorite with Blair a close second (Leighton Meester is freaking gorgeous and she is fantastic in this role). I’ve never read the books but the show has me intrigued! I especially want to find out why Serena left for boarding school in the first place. GG *definitely* fulfills the necessary trashy teen quota in my TV schedule. I hope it sticks around.

Tomorrow: Heroes premieres!