The Vampire Diaries – Recap & Review – Our Town

photo: cw

The Vampire Diaries
Our Town

Original Air Date:  Jan 12, 2012

Ky – TwoCents Reviewer
ky@thetwocentscorp.com

Our Town.  Wherein Caroline has a birthday, Bonnie is absolutely correct, and Stefan is scarier than Klaus.

It’s an average day in Mystic Falls.  Elena wallops a bunching bag and Damon takes a shower.  How many times have we seen Damon shower?  I do appreciate his attention to personal hygiene but even the word “gratuitous” doesn’t really cover it anymore.  Just sayin’.  Also, Bonnie is chanting and yelling at inanimate objects, namely a coffin that refuses to give up its secrets, which makes her late for decorating Caroline’s locker.

30 Rock – Recap & Review – Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

photo: nbc

30 Rock
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Original Air Date: Jan 12, 2012

Valentina D. – Senior Reviewer
valentina@thetwocentscorp.com

After a lot of waiting and a very, very long break, it’s finally here…30 Rock is back, nerds! Jack, Liz, Jenna and the gang have returned with some new surprises for Season 6!

Jenna has a new gig with America’s Kidz Got Singing!, where she makes child singing hopefuls cry with her Simon Cowell approach while America eats it up. With Avery still being held captive in North Korea, Jack must deal with looking after Liddy on his own. Finally, the usually scrambled and overstressed Liz is unnaturally euphoric. But why? Find out after the jump!

The Middle – Recap & Review – The Map

photo: abc

The Middle
The Map

Original Air Date: Jan 11, 2012

Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com

This was the episode where we finally see something good happen to Sue! I was so happy for her and glad that something actually worked out for her for once. On a more somber note, the show starts off with the Hecks coming back from Aunt Ginny’s funeral. It was sad but at least she did die in her sleep. Of course this whole thing scares poor Brick that he is going to die in his sleep and Axl says he is going to freeze his head because is too awesome. Sue on the other hand, doesn’t even want to think about it.

At home, the kitchen counter is full of bereavement food and Axl ends up eating Bricks map project which consists of a big piece of dough in the shape of Indiana.

Revenge – Recap & Review – Infamy

photo: abc

Revenge
Infamy

Original Air Date: Jan 11, 2012

Melanie – TwoCents Reviewer
melanie@thetwocentscorp.com

Now we’re getting into it, aren’t we? If we thought the revelations about the whole conspiracy we’d learned so far were bad, what we’re learning now and about to learn takes it to a whole other level.

This week Emily mounted an assault on the author of the definitive work on David Clarke, Mason Treadwell, whose book convinced a shattered little girl that her father was guilty. And like with many of the others involved that we’ve met, the behavior to which he was willing to commit himself for personal gain is appalling. As are the secrets he was hiding…

“HAWAII FIVE-0” AND “NCIS: LOS ANGELES” To Shoot Crossover Episodes to Air During May Sweeps

photo: cbs

Characters from Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS: Los Angeles will shoot crossover episodes for a two-night event to air during May sweeps.

In the episodes, first Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL COOL J) join forces with the Five-0 in Hawaii on a case concerning a deadly virus possibly being used as a murder weapon on HAWAII: FIVE-0. Then, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and Danny Williams (Scott Caan) rush to Los Angeles with Callen and Hanna to combine their efforts on the mainland to track down who may be in the market to buy the virus.

Degrassi Returns with New Episodes and New Freshman Class Feb 20

photo: teennick

TeenNick’s award-winning and Emmy nominated drama, Degrassi opens its doors to a new crop of freshman and reunites fans with familiar faces as the network premieres 14 new half-hour episodes filled with love triangles, rivalries and scandals. Brand-new episodes roll out beginning Monday, Feb. 20, at 9:00 p.m. (ET) with the premiere of “Underneath it All” Pt. 1 followed by “Underneath it All” Pt. 2 on Friday, Feb. 24, at 9:00 p.m. (ET). New Degrassi episodes will premiere Fridays at 9:00 p.m. (ET). Leading up to the premiere, the Degrassi cast will host five “Party with Degrassi” screening events across the U.S., giving fans an exclusive sneak peek of the new season.

“Fans will rejoice as Degrassi returns with new characters and their favorite upperclassmen who continue to face relevant issues affecting teens today, including drug abuse, sexuality, bullying, parenthood and adoption,” said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nicktoons and TeenNick. “We are excited to bring the cast from the halls of Degrassi to fans across America at these ultimate fan experiences.”

Top Chef – Recap & Review – Restaurant Wars

photo: bravo

Top Chef
Restaurant Wars

Original Air Date: Jan 11, 2012

Ryan O – Two Cents Senior Reviewer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

Well, this is the episode that everyone waits for, right? Restaurant wars. I’ve always thought that the episode does a good job of showing the viewers where cheftestants stand at that point in time in the competition.

I think that happens with this edition but, as commenters have mentioned recently, it also shows us that this group of cheftestants might not be as capable as earlier groups. Neither team seems to put together a very strong restaurant.

Modern Family – Recap & Review – Egg Drop

photo: abc

Modern Family
Egg Drop

Original Air Date: Jan 11, 2012

Wyner C – TwoCents Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

The Pritchett family members are competitive, we know. We’ve all gleefully witnessed the antics of Jay, Claire, Mitchell, and Alex in their quest to be right and be the best. So what if the desire to win overrides all logic and self-respect?

This episode delved into Claire and Jay’s need to win. Manny and Luke has to finish the famous TV school project of dropping an egg in a contraption that protects the egg. I have never been given this project in school. I think someone from the 70’s made this up and American television has been perpetuating the existence of this project for the next 40 years. Quick poll, have you ever been given this assignment in school?

Law & Order: SVU – Recap & Review – Theatre Tricks

photo: nbc

Law & Order: SVU
Theatre Tricks

Original Air Date: Jan 11, 2012

Caitlin – Associate Staff Writer
caitlin@thetwocentscorp.com

How much have I missed SVU? I nearly tried to write a review for last week’s repeat. Actually, that was just me misreading NBC’s schedule. But I really have been anxious about this show and its antics.

Speaking of antics, tonight’s episode starts with a girl being raped on stage, with an audience watching, at an immersive play based on Dante’s Inferno. And that’s only the beginning of the saga.

NCIS – Recap & Review – A Desperate Man

photo: cbs

NCIS
A Desperate Man

Original Air Date: Jan 10, 2011

Maria – Sr. Reviewer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

The murder of a Marine woman is made all the more muddied by the efforts of her Detective husband. Meanwhile, Ziva has relationship issues of her own as her boyfriend CIA Ray is back but she is avoiding his calls.