Arrow – Recap & Review – Betrayal

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Arrow
Betrayal

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

Karen – Sr Staff Writer
Karen@thetwocentscorp.com

This week’s episode had Ollie struggling with the notion that mommy might not be all that innocent in the scheme of things and Diggle is trying to help him see straight. We also have Det. Lance trying his darndest to catch the hooded vigilante at all cost…even if it involves his daughter.

When Ollie decides to tell Digs of the book of “Bad boys in Starling City”, that his mother had, he finds it hard to swallow that mom just might not be as sweet as we like to think our mothers to be. I almost jumped out of my seat when Moira threw the book into the fireplace, but little does she know that her little boy wonder has a copy of his own.

The Office Will End May 16 With 1-Hour Series Finale

photo: nbc

NBC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Office” (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) will close up shop with its 200th episode, a one-hour series finale on Thursday, May 16 (9-10 p.m. ET).

“The Office” has established itself as a genuine hit, earning prestigious television honors such as the 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, 2006 Peabody Award, 2006 & 2008 AFI Honors, Producers Guild Award, Writers Guild Award, SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy, Ace Eddie Award for editing and a Television Critic’s Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.

The series is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Paul Lieberstein, Brent Forrester and Dan Sterling.

Nashville – Recap and Review – I’ve Been Down That Road Before

photo: abc

Nashville
I’ve Been Down That Road Before

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

Kelly — TwoCents Reviewer
kelly@thetwocentscorp.com

Nashville is like a soap opera for the 21st century—meaning it airs at 10:00 pm instead of 1:00 pm, which is apparently the kiss of death for actual soap operas. It’s got the secret trysts, the fist fights, the shiny dresses, and now, for your modern-era sensibilities, rude live-tweeting reviewers! This truly is a golden age.

But there’s something nostalgic about this show, too: something in it that longs to go back to intimate concert venues, stripped-down performances, and scuffed-up cowboy boots. Even Juliette Barnes wants that, and she’s the flashiest of them all. But is it even possible to find fame on your own terms? How do scuffed-up cowboy boots fit in the YouTube era?

American Idol – Recap & Review – Hollywood Week I – Men

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American Idol
Hollywood Week I – Men

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

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

Hollywood started off with 277 contestants. Only half of those are performing this week in a new Idol Twist. This week the men perform, next week the women. The goal this week is to whittle down to 20 men (from about 138.5?). By the end of the show Wednesday, there were only 43 left.

Those are serious cuts.

Modern Family – Recap & Review – A Slight at the Opera

photo: abc

Modern Family
A Slight at the Opera

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

Wyner C – Senior Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

There’s no substitute for “moments” – your child’s first steps, first words, first play. They’re all precious. My parents went to my first play – I was the narrator in a first grader PG version of the civil rights movement. By the way, I successfully pulled a Manny – initially, there were two narrators but I was the last narrator standing. Even as a first grader, I was cutthroat.

Jay is teaching Phil how to play golf – the non-sport “sport.” Jay’s trying a new technique – being gentle with his students. They bump into Mitchell and Pepper; not really. Mitchell’s been asking Pepper to tutor him on the skills of golf just so the son can slaughter the father.

Top Chef – Recap & Review – Kings of Alaska

Top Chef
Kings of Alaska

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

Ryan O – Associate Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

The last four chefs (not including Kristen looming in Last Chance Kitchen) leave the luxury of the cruise ship. In Juneau, they first stop at a local institution: a crab shack.

Then, it’s time to cook for another local institution: a salmon bake. And there are bears in trees!

NCIS – Recap & Review – Canary

photo: cbs

NCIS
Canary

Original Air Date: Feb 5, 2013

Maria – Associate Staff Writer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com

As far as undercover operations go, McGee came out pretty well on this one compared to Gibbs who had to dress up as a homeless guy, Ziva who dressed with rather fitting and little clothing except for the high heels, whilst Tony had to hide in the dumpster. Still, they managed to arrest the number 2 cyber-terrorist, Ajay Khan (*shakes fist at the sky* KHHHHAAAAANNNNN)

Tony goes back to NCIS, wanting the praise and adulation that we know he craves, but nothing happens. Meh, Khan is number 2, it’s not like he’s number 1. So, our NCIS team vow to go after the top cyber-terrorist, known only as MC.

Law & Order: SVU – Recap & Review – Monster’s Legacy

photo: nbc

Law & Order: SVU
Monster’s Legacy

Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2013

Caitlin – Senior Staff Writer
caitlin@thetwocentscorp.com

If you follow the news about SVU, you probably know of the controversy surrounding Mike Tyson’s guest appearance. Obviously, this episode did eventually make it to air, and for those not watching, here’s an opportunity to get caught up on what happened.

A gymnastic coach helps a boy warm up, massaging a leg strain a bit aggressively. He’s watched suspiciously by a custodian. That evening, the coach is attacked and stabbed with an ice pick in a couple very uncomfortable places.

Pretty Little Liars – Recap & Review – Dead to Me

photo: abcfamily

Pretty Little Liars
Dead to Me

Original Air Date: Feb 5, 2013

Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

Red is the new black. In a really nice follow-up to last week’s amazing episode, this week’s PLL shows the Liars engaged in some true psychological warfare. I’m so impressed by how the show is turning around from TV candy to true television.

Em’s under hypnosis, Aria is under the younger Fitz’s spell, and Spencer is hiding some pretty little rage under that mop of curls (obviously frizz = distress). Throw in Hanna and a pair of overalls, and it’s clear the Liars are teetering over the edge.

SMASH – Recap & Review – Broadway Here I Come, The Fallout

photo: nbc

SMASH
Broadway Here I Come, The Fallout

Original Air Date: Feb 5, 2013

Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

SMASH is back, but the two-part season opener is more of a bomb than a Bombshell. The show has wrapped up its trial run, with Karen in the lead, and everyone is headed back to NYC to as the future of Bombshell is decided. While some bright new faces (and musical numbers) light up the two hour premiere, we quickly find ourselves back in the same rut, asking the same questions, wearing the same ol’ scarves.

Karen and Ivy are not on speaking terms, and seeing Karen play mean is actually pretty nice. Derek is still infatuated with his “muse”, and the two heat things up in a friendly way. It’s Derek who introduces Karen to Veronica “Ronnie” Moore (Jennifer Hudson), a Broadway girl with super-star power. But it’s Karen who finds Derek’s next big thing – boy wonder Jimmy, a waiter/bar-keep with an amazing song-writing prowess. So, what has the rest of the SMASH gang been up to? Read on to find out…