Southland Starts Production on Season 5

photo: tnt

Production began last week on the fifth season of the TNT police drama Southland. The critically acclaimed series from Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie. Joining the ranks as a series regular this season will be former guest star C. Thomas Howell. In addition, Dorian Missick, Emily Bergl and L. Scott Caldwell will return as recurring guest stars, and Chad Michael Murray is set to guest-star in a two-episode arc.

Season Five of Southland is slated to premiere Wednesday, February 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. The series continues in its regular timeslot on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.

Dear TV Claus … From Keith G

For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dr. TV Claus,

This year, I have worked very hard at being less naughty and much nicer. In return, I have just a few things to ask of you.
First, please ensure that that series Finale of Fringe is exciting, answers our questions, and treats the characters with the respect that they deserve.

Next, please, please, please. No more Honey Boo Boo!

The Amazing Race – Recap & Review – “Not a Well-Rounded Athlete”

photo: cbs

The Amazing Race
“Not a Well-Rounded Athlete”

Original Air Date: Dec 2 , 2012

Ryan O – Associate Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

The twins have a HUGE lead. They are hours in front of even the second-place team. Could the other teams possibly catch them? Meanwhile, Josh and Brent are just as far behind the third-place team. Could they possibly catch up? Or could this leg feature the longest bunching period ever? If you’re a fan of the show, I think you know the answer.

This leg also features a team dressing up in a two-person bull costume and running around a bullfighting ring. It’s as dumb as it sounds.

Once Upon a Time – Recap & Review – Queen of Hearts

photo: abc

Once Upon a Time
Queen of Hearts

Original Air Date: Dec 2, 2012

Wyner C – Senior Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

Reunions are always fun to watch. There’s always hugs, kisses, happiness…at the beginning. Then everything devolves – fights, jealousy, and drunk uncles ensues. Fun times!! For this episode, we see each character’s journey to the reunion. After the winter break, we will see the fights and nastiness that follows. Can…not…wait…

In Fairytale (pre-curse), Regina commissions Hook to kill Cora. Using Jefferson’s hat, she makes Hook bring a dead body – the number of bodies going into the hat = the number of bodies coming back. She magic-fies his hook so he can take Cora’s heart (she still has one?!!). The magic only allows him to take one heart ‘cause that type of power is reserved for the truly evil.

Dexter – Recap & Review – The Dark… Whatever

photo: showtime

Dexter
The Dark… Whatever

Original Air Date: Dec 2, 2012

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

After last week’s episode, I wondered exactly how exactly the last three episodes of season seven would play out. It seemed like the major story of the season had been wrapped up and that now we’d just be treading water.

Well, color me wrong. Because while the Koshka Brotherhood storyline gave us the “big bad” arc for the season, it really isn’t the story. The true thread of this season is the evolution of Dexter and Debra Morgan, the most twisted siblings on television since Wednesday and Pugsley Addams. Both have transformed since season one’s vice cop (Deb) and emotional void (Dexter). The question is… are we the viewers embracing it?

Dear TV Claus … From Wyner

For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,

I noticed from last year, only 3 out of 7 requests on my list were fulfilled. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. I’m a very selfish person – so anything under 50% is unacceptable. Just saying…

Here is this year’s list and I’ll be grading your performance this time (on Lou Ferrigno’s 110% system). Don’t make me go Crazy-Trump on you (“You’re fired” [insert weird Trump hand gesture]).

1. You took Steve Jones away (RIP Steve-bot) from X-Factor and replaced him with a Kardashian (don’t know which one and proud of it). Shame on you!! For humanity’s sake, I demand you take her off my TV!! I’ve avoided E! so I don’t have to deal with that family and now you thrust one of them onto network television? To replace Steve Jones?!! Why do you hate me so??!!

2. Why didn’t Dexter get better? I’m holding out hope this season can be salvaged but I’m starting to grow up and stop believing in you, TV Claus. Don’t let that happen…

CSI:NY – Recap & Review – Blood Out

Photo: cbs

CSI:NY
Blood Out

Original Air Date: Nov 30, 2012

Maria – Associate Staff Writer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

When Detective Lovato came into the New York precinct after being undercover, no big song or dance was made about it. She did her duties as a cop and quickly became an asset to the team. Now, it looks like her time in the spotlight has come as she has to arrest a man on a crowded bus when he starts a knife fight. Just another day in New York.

Later, Mac, Jo and Flack are gathered around a crime scene. A man is hanging my his wrists, although his lower half is kneeling on the floor. He’s been split in two! Poor Flack has the job of retrieving the victim’s cell phone from his jeans pocket when it rings. Lovato was calling the victim, but she hangs up after hearing Flack’s voice!

Dear TV Claus … From Ryan

Hi gang! Happy Holidays to you all! For the month of December, the crew here at TheTwoCents.com will be writing our letters to TV Claus. A powerful being who transcends all beliefs to bring us the wonderment of good television. You’ll see a new letter to TV Claus almost daily here and we hope you’ll chime in your TwoCents to TV Claus too!

Dear TV Claus,

I’ve done my best to be a good little TV watcher this year. Here’s a few things I’d like in the coming year.

1. Please make sure Peggy continues to have a presence on Mad Men. She’s been the show’s emotional heart since the first season and it would be a shame to lose that.

2. A Wonder Woman show shouldn’t be so hard to do. Let’s see what we can do about that, okay?

3. Please give Breaking Bad‘s Walter White the unhappy ending he has earned. He can die from cancer. He can get caught by Hank. He can get shot by rivals. Up to you, TV Claus.

Parks and Recreation – Recap & Review – Pawnee Commons

photo: nbc

Parks and Recreation
Pawnee Commons

Original Air Date: Nov 29, 2012

Valentina D. – Senior Reviewer
valentina@thetwocentscorp.com

Leslie’s set out on the mission she began 4 seasons ago and that mission is to finally build her the park of her dreams on Lot 48. Enter Wreston St. James, a legendary parks architect who’s willing to design the park. Sounds perfect, right? The only problem is the fact that he’s an Eagletonian, so naturally, Leslie immediately shuts it down.

While Andy and April make Andy’s security job a little more exciting, the rest of the parks department gang decides to roll up their sleeves and help Tom prepare his Rent A Swag store. What happens when they realize Tom’s a lot less flashy than he used to be?

Elementary – Recap & Review – The Long Fuse

photo: cbs

Elementary
The Long Fuse

Original Air Date: Nov 29, 2012

Laura Kelley – Associate Staff Writer
laurakelley@thetwocentscorp.com

This week’s episode opened with Holmes watching a bunch of TVs at once while Watson tries to have a serious conversation with him. As we all well know, trying to have a serious conversation with Sherlock Holmes is pretty much impossible, so all we can ever do is just wish her well. Bu the issue at hand is a big one: in several weeks Holmes will be sans Watson, so he has to find a sponsor to stay clean. Preferably one with an affinity for crime-solving, but nonetheless he’s in a bit of a pickle.

Elsewhere a bomb goes off at a tech company and this week’s mystery begins. Follow me after the jump to see what happens.