MasterChef – Recap & Review – Top 8 Compete

(photo: fox)

MasterChef
Top 8 Compete

Original Air Date: July 24, 2013

FK – Sr. Editor
farrah@thetwocentscorp.com

While Gordon was busy crowning his newest executive chef over on Hell’s Kitchen this week, our top eight home cooks were being given two of the hardest tasks. The team challenge was not only physically draining but the twist made it mentally exhausting for some.

The pressure test was difficult for pretty much everyone And it also made me wonder how these “home cooks” know how to make all of these dishes. But I digress…

Top Chef Masters – Recap & Review – Sous Chefs and Skydrives

photo: bravo

Top Chef Masters
Sous Chefs and Skydrives

Original Air Date: Jul 24, 2013

Ryan O – Associate Editor
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

Top Chef Masters is back! With its return comes a number of twists. The most notable one is that the chefs are accompanied by their sous chefs. Their sous chefs will be cooking in their own competitions, however. But! The outcome of those competitions could give immunity to a chef or give them a disadvantage.

In this episode, the chefs cook for a team of skydivers — only after jumping out of a plane themselves, because, sure, why not? I mean, people love The Amazing Race and they’re always throwing people out of planes.

ABC Family Cancels Bunheads

foster

As reported by TVLine:

Monday, ABC Family announced that it would not bring back Amy Sherman-Palladino’s beloved hour-long show for a second season. A critical and cultish fan favorite, the whimsical show about a displaced Vegas showgirl and the quirky, idyllic ballet studio in Paradise, California that becomes her home never found a following significant enough to justify keeping it on the air.

“Bunheads is a wonderful series that we are very proud to have aired,” said a ABC Family spokesperson. “The series had amazing storytelling, the most talented cast and a passionate and loyal fan base. Recognizing all of this, we took extra time to try and find ways to bring the series back for another season, but in the end it simply wasn’t possible. We wish the cast and crew the best in their future endeavors.”

Covert Affairs – Recap & Review – Dig for Fire

photo: usa

Covert Affairs
Dig for Fire

Original Air Date: Jul 23, 2013

Brianna – TwoCents Reviewer
brianna@thetwocentscorp.com
 
We get closer to figuring out what Henry is playing at, and some secrets come out in an episode filled with plenty of delightful twists and turns.

The episode opens on a very familiar scene that put Annie in a somewhat similar situation she found herself in a season ago. Luckily for Annie and for the man who broke in, she recognized him, as Arthur, the intruder, just stands in her kitchen seemingly ready to shed some light on what is going on.

Suits – Recap & Review – I Want You to Want Me

photo: usa

Suits
I Want You to Want Me

Original Air Date: Jul 23, 2013

Wyner C – Associate Staff Writer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

When is it time to forgive (but never forget)? Remember, never forget. In arguments, past indiscretions are powerful ammo (as everyone who is in a successful relationship can tell you, please don’t take my advice!). I use past improprieties like Obama uses drones – watch out. Being truly sorry can help mend relationships but it depends on how forgiving the wronged party feels. Let’s see if Harvey is feeling like a governor and willing to pardon a poor soul.

Harvey’s relationship with Jessica just isn’t the same. He’s planning a coup and she wants to repair their bond. In order to beat Cameron and start the mending process, Jessica is working with Harvey on the Hessington case. It’s good the dream team from Pearson Darby is working for Ava because she’s in deep manure. Pornstache has a video, sans sound, of her bribing an official and that’s never good news. Of course, if there’s no sound, the briefcase of money can be spun, by competent lawyers, into $$ for candy.

Switched At Birth – Recap & Review – Prudence, Avarice, Lust, Justice, Anger

photo: abc family

Switched At Birth
Prudence, Avarice, Lust, Justice, Anger

Original Air Date: Jul 22, 2013

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

Some episodes of Switched At Birth are all about character development. The subtle meanings, the quiet moments, etc… have all been used to advance the plot without excessive story moments. This hour was different that it was very plot heavy, but not one plot was tied up with a pretty bow.

If you were wondering why there was so little John and Kathryn in tonight’s episode, fear not, the parental units are not being phased out of the show. In fact, tonight was Lea Thompson’s directorial debut for the show. So congrats Lea, you did a wonderful job!

Farewell… Dennis Farina

photo: fox

As reported by FOX:

Dennis Farina, a onetime Chicago cop who as a popular actor played a cop on “Law & Order,” has died, his rep told FOX411.

Farina died Monday morning in a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital after suffering a blood clot in his lung, according to his publicist, Lori De Waal. He was 69.

For three decades, Farina was a character actor who displayed remarkable dexterity, charm and, when called for, toughness, making effective use of his craggy face, steel-gray hair, ivory smile and ample mustache.

Farina appeared in films including “Get Shorty,” ”Saving Private Ryan,” ”Midnight Run” and “Out Of Sight.”

Among his many TV portrayals was Detective Joe Fontana on “Law & Order” during the 2004-06 seasons. He eventually left the show to pursue other projects. He also starred in the 1980s cult favorite “Crime Story” and was a regular in the 2011-12 HBO drama “Luck.”

Falling Skies– Recap & Review – Strange Brew

photo: tnt

Falling Skies
Strange Brew

Original Air Date: Jul 21, 2013

Patricia Morris Buckley —Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

At Comic-Con, the producers showed a jaw-dropping moment in the show that had everyone in the audience gasping. But they were only fooling us. It wasn’t real. And that was the theme of this heart-breaking episode.

Tom wakes up in his bed, clean shaven with his wife at his side and we immediately know something’s going on. Is it a flashback? He goes to the university, where he sees people from his life, but they’re played by characters from the 2nd Mass. Pope is a philosophy professor, Weaver is a homeless man, Lourdes is his assistant and Maggie is a student in his class.

HGTV Star– Recap & Review – Finale

photo: hgtv

HGTV Star
Finale

Original Air Date: Jul 21, 2013

Patricia Morris Buckley —Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

We have a new HGTV Star and I have to say, it was really close between two of the three remaining finalists. But the winner is….

(Go to jump to see)

True Blood– Recap & Review — Don’t You Feel Me?

photo: hbo

True Blood
Don’t You Feel Me?

Original Air Date: July 21, 2013

Patricia Morris Buckley —Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

All season long we’ve been promised the death of a regular and tonight, it finally happened. And, as showrunner Brian Buckner promised at Comic-Con to pare down the cast, we may have a few more this season. The main character wasn’t the only character to kick the bucket in this episode.

We began with Sookie being drowned by her father, who has possessed Lafayette. Bilith feels it (and he acts like he doesn’t love her anymore – right), but sends Barlow to save her as the fairy vamp can go in the light. Bill calls Barlow back, making him vomit, but Sookie takes him to her fairy sanctuary where he’s safe. Very safe. But we’ll get back to these two lovers-haters in a sec.