Last Resort – Recap & Review – Controlled Flight Into Terrain (Series Finale)

photo: abc

Last Resort
Controlled Flight Into Terrain

Original Air Date: Jan 24, 2013

Vincent C. – TwoCents Reviewer
Vincent@thetwocentscorp.com

The last episode of Last Resort gave us a resolution to the entire series, although it was a somewhat bittersweet ending. Not all of the main characters make it to the end alive.

After the events of the previous episode, Sam is locked up in the makeshift brig on the island. He and Chaplin debate, with Sam wondering if Chaplin considers the island his own little kingdom of “Marcus-stan.” Clever nickname. Three Chinese warships are approaching the island. Chaplin takes the Colorado out to sea. Sam is handcuffed in the sub’s dining area. When Chaplin arrives at the conn, a couple of pistols are pointed at him. (pictured above). COB has taken over and puts Chaplin in plastic flexi-cuffs. COB takes Chaplin’s missile launch key, and also Sam’s key that Chaplin had taken.

Grey’s Anatomy – Recap & Review – Walking On A Dream

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Grey’s Anatomy
Walking On A Dream

Original Air Date: Jan 24, 2013

Karen Belgrad – Senior Editor
karenbelgrad@thetwocentscorp.com

After the past few episodes felt very cluttered, this hour seemed more streamlined and focused. Nearly everyone (sans a couple of interns) was present, but the pacing didn’t feel quite as frenetic as it has been of late. And that is so much for the better.

Meredith and Arizona had to face new realities. Derek had to prove himself. And Shane Ross proved himself to be the new favorite intern, yet again, because he is the new Meredith. And everything was done under the watchful eye of the new physician advisor, who was there to cut costs. So what did she cut?

Crowd-Sourced “Occupy Conan” Episode Airs January 31

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TBS has set Jan. 31, as the day CONAN will become television’s first late-night talk show to present an episode featuring scenes entirely re-created by fans.

In November, Conan O’Brien announced the formation of the “Occupy CONAN” movement, challenging fans to work together to produce an entire episode. Fans immediately began re-creating scenes from CONAN and jockeying to have their versions chosen for the final episode. The resulting episode will premiere on TBS Thursday, Jan. 31, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT), sponsored by the all-new Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. During the episode, Conan O’Brien will be blogging live through the Emmy®-winning Team Coco tablet app, available free at http://teamcoco.com/sync.

American Idol – Recap & Review – Charlotte, NC Auditions

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American Idol
Charlotte, NC Auditions

Original Air Date: Jan 23, 2013

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

This is the episode that Idol has been teasing for months — the great clash between Mariah and Nicki. And quite frankly, there was no fight, just Nicki throwing a hissy fit.

But the very next day, everyone was playing nice and perhaps a good tiff is what was needed to clear the air. Let’s hope so as this nasty pecking at each other got old the very first night.

For the first time, Idol visited Charlotte, NC where they set up shop at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. To cheer up the auditioners, Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery worked the crowd.

Nashville – Recap and Review – You Win Again

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Nashville
You Win Again

Original Air Date: Jan 23, 2013

Kelly — TwoCents Reviewer
kelly@thetwocentscorp.com

One of Nashville’s greatest strengths is that it grasps the full spectrum of the music scene, from garage bands to newfound stars to living legends. What’s more, the show never begrudges any stage of that journey: the Bluebird Café can be just as fulfilling as a sellout arena, but pop stardom doesn’t necessarily mean selling out, either. Everyone has his or her own goal. The one great equalizer in this town? Ambition.

In some cases, ambition makes you a traitor. That’s certainly what it’s done to Avery Barkley, who symbolically dropped “The” and “Band” from his title this week. He’s flying solo and loving the perks—Convertibles! Getting shut down by Juliette Barnes! Hearing his voice on the radio!—but might it get lonely on top? The people formerly known as “The” and “Band” certainly hope so. When Scarlett shows up at Avery’s concert (looking deliciously stone-faced and unimpressed in a sea of bopping fans), JT finds her with an idea: she and Gunnar should replace Avery. They can sing what they’ve written instead of selling it, and the good guys win.

Modern Family – Recap & Review – Fulgencio

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Modern Family
Fulgencio

Original Air Date: Jan 23, 2013

Wyner C – Senior Reviewer
wyner@thetwocentscorp.com

There’s no such thing as good vs evil. You have to do what you have to do – it’s life. I know it’s a heartless, jaded philosophy but I’m from Brooklyn – deal with it. The funny family has dealt with it. Let’s see how…

Jay has become Phil – his in-law hates him. Gloria’s mother despises Jay and outright voices her low opinion of him. Jay figures out the only time he can tolerate Phil is when Phil stops trying and just be himself. Therefore, during his newborn’s christening, he gives a heartfelt speech.

Top Chef – Recap & Review – Wolfgang Clucks

photo: bravo

Top Chef
Wolfgang Clucks

Original Air Date: Jan 23, 2013

Ryan O – Associate Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

Simple things aren’t always simple. Fried chicken, for example, seems simple, but it can be very difficult to execute well. Who will it take down as six cheftestants remain?

As a viewer, I could really feel Kristen’s absence in this episode. It felt as something was missing. It felt disconcerting.

Arrow – Recap & Review – Trust But Verify

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Arrow
Trust but Verify

Original Air Date; Jan 23, 2013

Karen – Sr Staff Writer
Karen@thetwocentscorp.com

Trust is the running theme of the night as Oli trusts his father’s list, and the name Ted Gaynor is on it. Gaynor was Digs commanding officer in the military and he trusts him to be a good guy. Thea is having a hard time trusting mommy dearest and believes she is having an affair with Malcolm. Tommy is having trust issues with daddy but taking Laurel’s advice he gives him a chance at dinner.

A series of armored car heists are taking place and Oli points out that they are done in the same manner as a military ambush. Oli feels it is being led by a man by the name of Ted Gaynor, and Digs is not happy in his theory. Seems that Ted saved Digs life and he is giving him the benefit of the doubt.

FOX Removes Ben and Kate from Lineup, Announces Revised Tuesday Nights

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FOX announces revisions to its Tuesday night lineup, as well as the season premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN on Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

On Tuesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Tuesday, Feb. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Tuesday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), FOX will air all-new one-hour episodes of RAISING HOPE, followed by all-new episodes of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) in their regularly scheduled time periods. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, as previously announced, encore episodes of RAISING HOPE (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) and NEW GIRL (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) will air, followed by the STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS (9:00-10:30 PM ET/live in all time zones). On Tuesday, Feb. 19 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), an all-new episode of RAISING HOPE leads off the night, followed by an encore of NEW GIRL (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT), and all-new installments of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30 PM ET/PT).

Pretty Little Liars – Recap & Review – Misery Loves Company

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Pretty Little Liars
Misery Loves Company

Original Air Date: Jan 22, 2013

Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

All the hype for this week’s episode, in which Spencer finally uncovers Toby’s ultimate betrAyal, just turned into a lot of anticipAtion. The episode really centered around Aria’s illness, Meredith’s craziness (or possibly crAziness? And all this after I expounded last week on the importance of her being earnest!), and team Save Our Girlfriends, newly formed by Caleb and Paige. Because, you know, they want to be significant-others-with-a-secret, too.

I love the episodes where PLL borrows a vibe and a scene or two from a popular horror film, and this one definitely had the Misery part down. Things are seemingly normal at Casa Montgomery – that is, Aria is in trouble and neither of her parents are anywhere to be found. With Byron away at a conference for fathers who may or may not have murdered their daughters’ BFFs and Ella spending the week with Mike Montgomery on the Island of Vanishing Characters, Aria is left to rely on Meredith for recovery… and not just from the flu. Turns out, Meredith is trying to recover those diary pages of Ali’s as well, even if it means a final pas marche for a few Liars.