Desperate Housewives - S05E03: Kids Ain't Like Everybody Else

Desperate Housewives has always had the coolest Big Bad's since Buffy, and Dave is no exception - in fact, I think he is the greatest so far. He is played to perfection by Neal McDonough (Tin Man, Band Of Brothers). I find him so utterly convincing and charming, except when it comes to McCluskey - he has blown his cover there - not that he doesn't have other tricks up his sleeve. Also, his last name Williams, is also shared by crazy maniac and now dead George Williams. Could he be back to avenge the death of his... brother? They are probably unrelated as he would be smart enough to use an alias if his real name was Dave Williams, but still.

Lynette has become so unlikeable this season, and that is saying something because she has always been treading the line between likeable and total bitch. Suppressing and whipping Tom and fucking with her kid on the internet are probably new lows for her. Dave trying to get close to Tom for ultimately sinister reasons is bad and everything, but the things he says to Lynette about Tom are absolutely true, and he seems to be genuinely helping him. It is hard not to like him, but when we see the result of his plotting I am sure my mind will be quickly changed. Anyway, Mike, Tom and Dave should get together and play some gigs at the Pizzeria - that is something I would not miss.

Danielle is back with a new husband who is a lawyer and Jewish, and Benjamin. Ultra-conservative Bree is surprised and revolted at Danielle's family being vegetarian, liberal and Benjamin being Jewish. So revolted that she decides to connive Benjamin into eating a hot dog which ends up all over their floor a while later. As a vegan I may be biased, but that was truly messed up. Bree is horrible for doing that. Her irrational opinions on vegetarianism are hilarious and true to life as well. Danielle finds out and they decide to leave - no more Benjamin. Orson blames Bree for losing Benjamin which has added more tension to their already strained relationship.

I don't really care much for Gabrielle's contribution, as far as I'm concerned she deserves to get ripped off by Andrew. And I am finding her quite boring and deserving of her punishment to low-class - although I feel sorry for Carlos, how could you not.

Another great episode to a so far great season. Dave's cliffhanging scenes are creepy, and always great. Much like Desperate Housewives episode closers in general really, but we know Dave is fucked up beyond belief and we are just waiting to see the man behind the Tony Robbins mask.

True Blood - S01E05: Sparks Fly Out

Bill appears before the town, and reminisces on his past and an early Bon Temps. Sookie goes on a date with Sam. Jason tries some more V. And Lafayette smacks down some white-trash.

For anybody who doesn't know, True Blood has already been picked up for a second season - this is very good news. Alan Ball has said hypothetically the series could last 8+ seasons, if they followed the book series.

This episode features some really great flashbacks that do not look tacky and have a genuine feel, unlike many other shows that flashback to the 1880's. They tell some really great back story of Bill: How he became a vampire, what happened to his family, and some of what happened in the battle at Bon Temps.

At the very end of the teaser of 'Sparks Fly Out', we see that dog staring at Bill with some dramatic music in the background. We have been beaten over the head with this over the duration of the series, and I think they are trying to tell us that Sam is a werewolf - or a cute dog, which might be cool in a Beethoven kind of way, but not in a rabid killing machine way - so we will go with werewolf. This episodes cliffhanger could be put down to this theory, which would be absolutely disturbing.

Jason continues on his sexcapades and may even be pinned for another murder in light of this episode. He takes V for the second time, but this time takes the recommended dosage so we get to see it in all it's glory. He hallucinates that sparks are flying out of the flowers of a bush, and that Tara is some sort of goddess at a waterfall.

Great episode! As usual I can't wait until the next.

Dexter - S03E01: Our Father

As always Dexter kicks off its season by laying down some foundation for itself to work on:

Dexter somewhat breaking free from Harry and developing his own code. It isn't the first time Dexter has promised to evolve, try new things, and break from the code. But we have never seen him go the whole way about it - I think we will this season as he seems to have banished Harry from his mind once and for all, although I am sure he will still pop up occasionally. He even dogs Harry's posthumous yearly birthday celebration with Deb, as he has moved on from Harry.

A new problem arises for Dexter when he unintentionally breaks the code, in a bad way, while out on a typical hunt. This injects new suspense into the show, since the last season tied off most of its plot strands. Jimmy Smits joins the cast as a recurring character, i assume. I am really excited to see him on the show; as I think he fits Dexter perfectly, and is just a great actor in general - he deserved a good role after Cane was axed. This episode gives a few hints as to a growing relationship between Smits as Miguel Prado and Dexter - it is never explicitly talked about, but at the funeral Dexter is at the coffin and from behind Miguel can see Dexter look deeply saddened, but really he is just stressed or guilty or something. Miguel Prado looks on at him for longer than one usually would. Some would say he is suspicious of Dexter, but I didn't feel that at all.

Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington, Rescue Me) joins the precinct, as a possible love-interest for Deb, a cop, and as an ambiguous character with a past, as Deb begins to find out from a bureau employee, Yuki Amado (Liza Lapira, Huff), who wants her cooperation with investigating him. But Deb won't rat on a fellow cop, yet.

The episode ends on a massive cliffhanger involving Rita, and in turn, Dexter. Great episode and I have no doubt this season will be just as great as the last two. Although, the first 2-3 episodes of the second season will be difficult to top.