Review: Skins - Series 4

As the dust settles on another series, Skins has already been commissioned for a fifth and sixth series. Details of auditions have been announced to cast a new set of characters. There is also news of a possible film, which might feature characters from both sets of casts. The opener drew 938,000 but the viewing figures declined week by week, dipping as low as 648,000 with the Effy episode. The figure for the finale did rise with 728,000 viewers.

Series 4 has been described by some as too depressing; suicide attempts, breakups, deaths, fighting and mental illness. I do agree that this was the case but then the show has always tried to push the envelope with certain subjects. To me, this series seem to wreck most of the good things they achieved in series 3. Pandora, Thomas, Emily and Naomi's relationships went south and each episode seemed to be about how bad things can get for the characters. The only person that had a happy episode was JJ. The whole series was disjointed at times and certain things just seem to come out of nothing, like Effy's mental illness. They had a real opportunity to do something great with the subject but her psychiatrist being obsessed with her and killing Freddie spoilt it. It seems like they are having a regular occurrence of one of the cast members dying, though Chris' death in series 2 didn't invoke the same kind of emotion.

My favourite episodes were the ones centred on Emily, Katie and Cook. With Pandora and Naomi not having centred episodes, I think they could have at least one of them share an episode with one of the others. I was however disappointed in how they developed Cook after his centred episode. It seemed like they were really trying to give him another dimension, when he took the fall for Naomi and also went to prison. Afterward, it didn't seem like it was worth going down that angle, when they had him escape and behave exactly the same as before.

Will Young's character seemed pointless and I don't think it served any purpose. Any of the other faculty members could have delivered the message to Freddie, that he was trying to, and seemed stupid doing it. Hugo Speer sold the part of Jon Foster even though I didn't like what they did with him. The main highlights of the supporting cast were the rest of the Fitches. The twins mother, Jenna (Ronni Ancona), father Rob (John Bishop) and younger brother, James (Redd Smith)

It will be interesting to see what route they take with the new cast and if they follow some of the same patterns like killing off one of the characters or having a one of the characters suffer something traumatic involving their brain (Tony losing his memory in series 2 and Effy's mental illness and suicide attempt).

Review: Community - The Science of Illusion (Series.nu)

My review of episode 20 of Community is now up on Series.nu. Go check it out.

The Bill to hang up its cuffs

I do have to say that hearing the news that 'The Bill' has been axed after 27 years, shocked me. Though I haven't watched the show in over a decade, it's one of those shows that that was part of the furniture when it comes to UK TV. With a show that runs for so long, you don't think of an end.

They say the decision was a creative one and not a way to cut cost but with a reported 90 jobs at risk, its hard not to think that way.

It will be interesting to see what takes its place in the evening schedule; more reality TV, new UK drama or imports.

Review: Modern Family – Starry Night (Series.nu)

Check out my review of episode 18 from Modern Family, now up on Series.nu

Review: Community - Beginner Pottery (Series.nu)

Check out my review of episode 19 from Community, now up on Series.nu

Review: Skins - Everyone

Told over a two day period, the teens are in each other's orbit for their last episode. Converging at Naomi's house, it's the morning after a night of partying.

Cook's latest conquest stuns Naomi and the rest of the gang. Cook doesn't see it at first but the girl resembles Effy and in a slip, Naomi even addresses her by that name. The next day, Cook is nearly caught by the police as they close on him at Naomi house. An escape leads him to Freddie's shed and one by one, everyone convenes there to celebrate Freddie's birthday.

Dr Foster made a couple of appearances; telling Effy he had quit his job and lurking in the shadows outside Freddie's house. Cook follows Foster to his home and confronts him after finding bloody clothes.

At the beginning, I was left wondering when Naomi and Emily's dynamic switched; Naomi was perky around Emily. It was like their scene from Katie's episode never happened. Emily was the opposite; being quiet and in one scene, she was alone and crying.

As this was the last episode, with the current cast, some storylines were being tied up. There was no additional storyline regarding JJ and Katie. They were supporting characters; JJ babysitting his girlfriend's baby and moments with Cook. Katie's scenes with Thomas, Pandora and Effy were more about them and not her.

I have to say that I was underwhelmed by the end of the episode. My main problems were the way they played out certain characters and the last scene with Cook and Foster. It left me thinking 'is that it?' The scene between Thomas and Freddie's sister played out a little too long. Things were resolved for Naomi and Emily, but Thomas and Pandora were left with possibilities. Both are heading to Harvard but only Pandora knows it. The reality of Thomas being given a sport scholarship within a day is lost on me. Nothing was resolved for Effy, though she did crack a smile or two. I do have point out a funny moment when Freddie's sister, JJ and Cook were dancing to Kylie Minogue's 'Can't get you out of my head'.

This episode was not among my favourites but with another chapter finished, another must begin. When it returns, there shall be a new set of characters. I will be doing a post briefly talking about the series as a whole.

Review: Skins - Effy

I've been trying to let the episode resonate and not post the first thing that came out. To say that I was shocked by this episode was an understatement. For the most part of the episode, I have to commend Skins for tackling the subject of Effy's illness. Sure, this isn't the first show to tackle a subject like this but with this show being aimed a particular audience; it was good for them to try. Unfortunately, for the subject itself, most people will not be talking about that. Instead they will be talking about the last 5 minutes.

Only read on if you've seen the episode 

The last time we saw Effy, she was lying in hospital after her attempted suicide, in episode 5. Now she's in a psychiatric hospital being counselled by John Foster, played by Hugo Speer. After being released, Effy follows a disciplined schedule, even writing the things she needs to do on a whiteboard. Effy reconnects with Freddie for the first time since the hospital; she refused to see him while getting treatment.

Going with Pandora to pick up her college results, Effy is called into Mr Flood office. More interested in league table averages and funding, Flood shreds Effy's results. These had said she failed all her exams because she couldn't take them due to her treatment. Flood gave her a new paper of results that said she got all A's.

Continuing to see Foster, she seems to coping well, but memories are starting to fade to the point that she refers to herself as Elizabeth and doesn't recognise Cook. Freddie goes to see Foster but encounters a locked door and a baseball bat; all that we see is blood spatter.

My initial feeling about Foster was right; I knew there was something not to be trusted. However I wasn't expecting him to do what he did. I didn't see the point of having Foster putting on Phil Collins and "rocking out" to Easy Lover. Are Skins trying to say that we should never trust a Phil Collins fan?

In season 2 when Chris died, there was an emotional connection with the characters and viewers. With Freddie's demise, Skins seem to be going the opposite direction, in preferring to shock. It almost seemed desperate rather than story driven. They might have a lot of people talking about it but more people will wonder why they chose the way they did.

Next week will be last in the series and also the last with the current cast.

Review: Modern Family - Truth Be Told (Series.nu)

Check out my review of episode 17 from Modern Family, now up on Series.nu

Katherine Heigl's possible Grey's exit - do we still care?

The TV buzz over the past few hours has included the possible end of
Katherine Heigl's time on Grey's Anatomy (EW was one of the first to break the story). She's been missing for most
of the season due to extended leave to shoot a film and maternity
leave since adopting a child.

The long running saga, off camera, could possibly be coming to an end.
It has actually become boring hearing the same story of her leaving,
every season so if it's true, this yearly dance can come to an end.

In my opinion, the character Izzie was at her best in the first couple
of seasons. I for one found the whole hallucinating sleeping with your
dead fiancé ridiculous.

The show is over populated, so it can do with shedding a few characters. I haven't missed the character at all and the show has proved that there's sufficient actors/characters to follow.

As for the actress herself, her current film career is
filled with not very good romantic comedies that don't even use the
best clichés. Heigl proved with her Emmy win that drama is where she
sells it and she should try and burst out of the rom-com bubble before
she gets eternally typecast.

Melrose Place - international hit?

I have to say that I received a good laugh after reading Thomas Calabro, who plays Dr. Michael Mancini, recent interview on E!'s website.

It wasn't because he thought Melrose Place was going to return or hint towards more cast from the original making a reappearance. No it was the statement about the show being an international hit. Here's the quote "Here's what's going on with that: We're coming back," Calabro tells us. "Right now, we're airing our first five or six episodes internationally, and I think the show's a big international hit. That's enough to bring a show back."

I didn't even know that it was airing anywhere else but the US and UK. I can't speak for how Melrose Place is doing in other countries but it debuted, in the UK, with 113,000 viewers on Five's digital channel Fiver, with another 7,000 on the catchup service an hour later. At the time, it gave the channel its best ever Wednesday ratings. However the second episode drew 89,000 viewers.

When Archer debuted a couple of weeks later, on a Thursday night, it gave the channel 159,000 viewers for each of its half-hour instalments at 10pm and 10.30pm.

It's definitely not a hit here where a catchup episode of Desperate Housewives, shown an hour after airing can attract more viewers at 11pm then Melrose Place can at 9pm. I can't say I know anybody that watches it and the media certainly don't mention it any more when reporting ratings or anything else.

I have heard many times that US networks don't look into international ratings. Why would they, if they don't count online viewing from people in their own country. When does someone viewing in Boston, UK count the same as someone from Boston, US.

If The CW choose to renew Melrose Place, then it will be based on viewer figures in the US, money and whether or not they find something better to air instead.

Review: Modern Family - Fears (Series.nu)

Check out my review on episode 16 of Modern Family called Fears.

Read it on Series.nu

Review: Skins - JJ

The first few minutes are very chopping, as they try to show what an average day for JJ is. This includes work, his mother picking him up, her testing him on science and him talking in a microphone about his thoughts for the day.

JJ has a crush on a girl from work called Lara. Thomas, who also works there, prompts JJ into asking her out. Thomas tells JJ that if he doesn't do it in ten seconds, then he'll ask her out himself. JJ runs to stop him and ends up asking her out over the tannoy system.

Before his date with Lara, Freddie brings a heavy bag to JJ's room. Inside is a recently escaped, Cook. JJ hides him in his room, locking the door as he leaves for his date.

JJ appears a couple of hours early so Lara still needs to get ready. While she's doing that, JJ entertains her son with his magic tricks. Unfortunately, when trying to change baby Albert's nappy, he pees in JJ's face.

Nervousness and a comedy of errors lead to an awkward date between the two of them and failed escape plan for JJ. Despite this and JJ spitting drink her face, the two of them sleep together.

JJ is seen outside the psych support centre by Albert's father Liam. Coupled with not wanting to talk to him after meeting his parents, JJ head butts Liam at work.

There are 2 key conversations that helps JJ towards the end of the episode; his conversations with his father and Liam. There was also a conversation with Emily but I feel that was more about Emily's issues. Maybe it serves a better purpose for her to deal with her issues with Naomi.

Move over John Cusack and Say Anything. Apparently the way to win a girl's heart is playing Spandau Ballet's True, on a mini guitar, accompanied by others. I have to say I found it corny and by the end of the episode, I was left wondering if this was all in JJ's head. There were only things of note for me in this episode; them finishing off by playing Spandau Ballet's Gold and that I want to try JJ's choice of drink, Capribena - Capri Sun and Ribena.

As I said before, the beginning was choppy. I found it uneven and it seemed more rushed than usual. This wasn't an episode that I enjoyed and its the second episode in a row that I've come away feeling less than impressed. Effy's episode is next and I hope it picks in quality.