Issue # 4, 29 June - 6 July 2008

Posted by AJ in TV Rewind.

Show: Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Episode: “Assassin” (7×14)
You Can Watch It: Sundays at 9pm on USA

Criminal Intent got political this week when it mirrored (maybe more like alluded to) the life of prominent female activists such as Benazir Bhutto, who was the first woman in history elected by a Muslim state and was sadly assassinated last December after leaving a rally for her political party. Perhaps that sounds familiar. The Bhutto-esque character in the episode, Bela Kahn, becomes the victim of a string of attempts on her life—the first of which comes after she holds a secret rally for members of her party in the New York City area. Mysteriously, every time there is an attempt on Bela’s life, someone else ends up dead. Well, not so mysteriously since it was Bela and her husband who were behind the attacks the whole time and were therefore responsible for the murders of her personal assistant, brother, and body guard due to her ridiculous plan to spark a fervent movement of support for her political career. What a crazy, twisted crime story! But, honestly, the story could have been anything and the episode would still have been awesome because Detective Wheeler is back! Granted, she’s been back for two weeks now, but I’m still excited about it.

Conclusions:
One red-head is not like the other. Sorry, Falacci, but we’re just not sure if you can still hear supersonic ringtones.

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Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: “Who Shot Jay Arnstein?” (1×05)
You Can Watch It: Sundays at 10pm on USA

This week’s episode of In Plain Sight gave Mary McCormack another chance to show off some cleavage (art gallery events are always so swanky!), but this time she didn’t have to look like an 80s hooker! The episode also featured a very fun guest star—none other than Ms. Sherry Stringfield! Sorry, I was just very excited to see Dr. Susan Lewis again (ER) even if she wasn’t Dr. Susan Lewis at that moment. The US Marshalls have their hands full with the Arnsteins, Jay and Marci. Jay’s forgeries and black market art dealing ways land him in WITSEC (witness protection) after his wife, Marci, turns him in. Marci, in addition to wanting to her husband’s life, hopes that by getting Jay to turn state’s evidence they will be given a second chance at a new life. Meaning, Jay will have to leave his mistress behind if he wants to live. But if you have enough dirt on some bad guys, you can pretty much get away with anything. Including bringing your mistress into witness protection with you and your unknowing wife! Mary refuses for moral reasons to go along with the plan and lie to Marci about the situation, but her need for paychecks overpowers her ethical confusion until Jay is shot late one night at his art gallery after a very public scene between Marci and the mistress. The local police take the mistress and Marci into custody, but it becomes very clear that they like Marci for attempted murder. Mary, who has developed a deep fondness for Marci, takes it upon herself to clear Marci’s name and put the Arnstein marriage back together. At the very last minute, it is discovered that the whole attempted murder thing turns out to be a plot between a has-been artist and a lady with a garage full of junk, leaving the mistress to be sent packing to another location and the Arnsteins to continue to make beautiful, dysfunctional art together.

Conclusions:
Mary really knows how to pick ‘em. Friends, I mean. Because her swanky outfits are really working so far.

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Show: Living Lohan
Episode: “Moving to Las Vegas!” (1×06)
You Can Watch It: Sundays at 10:30pm on E!

This week on Living Lohan, plots actually thickened in a non-nonsensical order. After weeks of talk, the Lohan family (sans Michael, who is now back at college, and Nana, who refused to go on the trip) traveled to Las Vegas where Ali will record her album. We won’t hold it against her that she is recording for a group of people called the Maloofs (wtf?). The episode captured the trials of Cody as he left behind his friends and soccer team in order to support his sister’s music career…for two weeks. I guess that seems like a lot to a young child, but what 11-year-old wouldn’t want to go sit in a penthouse suite for half a month while his mother and sister purchase spa packages? What a whiner. However, Dina, realizing Cody’s heartbreak, took time to bond with her young son at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum while Ali slaved away in the recording studio. Ali’s producer, who has worked with greats like Celine Dion, repeatedly mentions throughout the episode the fact that Ali has all of the “natural gifts” a singer needs to be successful. But Ali’s perfectionism gets in the way and it’s only after Dina makes her sing on the stage at The Palms that Ali finally discovers the confidence within herself to lay down her first track properly. And lay it down she does. Heidi Montag-inspired hand motions and Mariah Carey earphone holding and all.

Conclusions:
Lindsay might be crying herself to sleep at night when she realizes she is the Lohan without any real vocal talent.

TV Rewind |