Holy TV, Batman
Well, this is the last week before my TV viewing schedule goes absolutely, completely batshit insane. I've already dropped one new show--True Blood--since I couldn't even compel myself to watch the entire first episode. The new 90210 is still on probation. Ryan Eggold is all kinds of hot, but the fact that I'm mostly watching for the grownups--some of whom aren't even series regulars--doesn't exactly bode well. Despite it not being part of my original fall grid, I've added Privileged to the lineup, and it's a stronger contender than 90210. Adding it does make Tuesdays at 8 iffy, though, at least until Greek and Eureka finish their current runs.

I had hoped to be caught up with House before the season premiere tonight, but that didn't quite happen. I'm through episode 5 of S4, so only 11 to go--a lot closer than the 35 I was behind a few weeks ago! So far, I'm not minding the arc of House finding a new team. I've read a lot of bitching and moaning about Chase and Cameron being marginalized, but so far I just don't care. Cameron mostly irritated me anyway, and although Jesse Spencer is gorgeous, I often felt that Chase was underdeveloped. His new dynamic with House is more compelling to me, even though there's less focus on his character.

After I finish marathoning House, I really need to tackle Supernatural, and then Lost.

Monday night TV this week was good, if not great. For starters, Chuck and Blair continue to be the best thing about Gossip Girl. Chuck propositioning Blair at the party was, quite simply, hot. The chemistry between Ed and Leighton is off the charts. This isn't a couple that I want a "happily ever after" for; it simply wouldn't be in character. Instead, I love watching them circle each other, antagonize each other, bait each other; the pulling together and pushing apart; all of that is fascinating.

Which is fortunate, since Dan and Serena are still boring as shit. Thank God they broke up again. And thank heavens Blair had the sense to point out that nothing had changed between S and Lonely Boy. They didn't work through the problems and reconcile, they simply ignored the issues and started having sex again.

Jenny is still acting like a human being, but the whole "ingenue gets fired but wins back mentor's goodwill with talent and vision" storyline is so trite. Bored now! And where was Erik this week? I enjoy him with Little J.

Chace is still pretty, and Nate is 1000X more interesting than he was when the show began, but for the love of cougars, Catherine is way more annoying than Tamara ever was. Plus, I want Nate and Vanessa to be happy together, if only so the weird, vaguely inappropriate vibes between Vanessa and Rufus will stop. Did anyone else think his mystery girlfriend resembled Vanessa? The thing is, I fully recognize that Rufus is totally hot. I could totally buy one of the Upper East Side girls hooking up with him. But Vanessa has been friends with Dan since they were kids, so the only thing she should see Daddy Humphrey as is a father figure, and vice versa.

Finally, Marcus bores me. Next!

As noted in last night's very brief entry, One Tree Hill made me cry. Like, a lot. When I was a senior in high school two of my classmates died. One, an acquaintance, in a car accident. The second, a close friend, a suicide. Needless to say, even all these years later, the death of a teenager resonates with me.

I bash OTH a lot, and I make no apology for that. The Lucas/Peyton "romance", Lucas and Peyton in general, the ridiculous amounts of violence, the caricatures masquerading as characters--all of these make for a pretty mediocre show. All that said, I have to give credit where credit is due. With the exception of the "Misery redux" plot, and some of the more overwrought Brooke scenes, this episode was well done. Emotionally manipulative, but well done. :)

All of the reactions to Q's death felt genuine. As precocious as he is, I'm glad that Nathan and Haley didn't treat Jamie like a miniature adult. They explained what happened in terms they thought he could understand, and they discussed whether he was old enough to handle the funeral. That's what real parents do. I also appreciated that Jamie didn't immediately grasp the concept of death. He is, after all, only 5. The scene between him and Q's brother Dre was spot-on and sweet. Two five-year-old boys aren't going to sit around talking about feelings. "My mom makes the best spaghetti in the world" and "My grandma wears really tight pants" were perfect. Of course, I started bawling when Jamie gave Dre Q's jersey.

It was also nice to get the reminder that the "adults" on the show are only 22, and they, too, struggle to comprehend the tragedy. Haley not knowing what to say to her class, Lucas feeling like he failed Q, Skillz crying in the gym--it all felt very real.

Of course, the funeral was the emotional climax of the episode. I totally lost it when the team walked up and gave Q's mom the flowers. (Speaking of Q's mom, hi, Jaleesa!) Dre getting up to take Q's place with the team just about destroyed me, and Jamie laying out the cape was the final straw. Seriously, my eyes were sore.

A few other quick notes:
-Um, is anyone ever going to notice the FINGER-SHAPED BRUISES on Brooke's arm?
-Do we really need to replace troubled-but-rehabilitated-teen Quentin with troubles-but-sure-to-be-rehabilitated-teen Samantha so soon?
-Shut up, Peyton.
-Are we supposed to feel sorry for PsychoCarrie because of her dead son? (And heh, I just flashed to that funeral scene in Heathers--"I love my dead gay son!")
-Was a funeral really the best place to out the Deb/Skillz relationship?
-No, really, SHUT UP, Peyton.
-It was odd yet interesting to have a scene with just Nathan and Brooke.
-Do you think anyone called to tell Mouth about Q?
-Because it can't be said enough...shut up, Peyton.

Last but not least, there was Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I just really enjoy this show, even when it's maybe not the most exciting episode. First, the stuff I was 'meh' about. Hey, they found a girl for John who has about as much discernible personality as he does. NEXT. Also, not enough Derek.

The "Karen and Cindy" show at the bar/pool hall was twelve kinds of awesome. Can we have more semi-lighthearted undercover hijinks?

Hey, it's Busy Phillipps! And dude, she is enormously pregnant. If that's seven months, what the hell is nine going to look like?

I have no idea what's up with Cameron. Is she going to go bad again? Is she developing free will? It will be interesting to see the storyline develop.

Maybe I'm stupid, but I'm really not clear where the bloody writing came from. Did dying future guy put it there before he crashed through the window?

Did I mention the fact that there wasn't enough Derek? Seriously, I need more of the disturbing BAG hotness. I know I read somewhere that they're not going to do a Derek/Sarah hookup, but I don't care. I will continue to contrarily 'ship them. Anyone have some nice, smutty fic recs?