Week in Review: 8/1-8/7

I am really getting into my summer shows, that I have almost forgotten how much I am looking forward to fall. Oh summer season, how I love your existence.

RUBICON: Listen, I have little to no idea what is going on with this show. It's all very hush and mysterious. What I do know: so far I am completely hooked, due in no small part to the wonderful James Badge Dale (Leckie on The Pacific). This show is, at the very least, interesting enough keep me coming back if only to figure out what the hell is going on. Note to the producers: make this mystery a one season thing. Then come up with something new for next season. Given his line of work, that makes sense, and it will keep the current mystery from getting too convoluted. (Yes, I'm sure the producers are reading this!)

MAD MEN: It's Christmas in August (at least for us) at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. And once again, that means quiet genius from the wonder that is Matthew Weiner. At the start of the episode Don's secretary brings him a letter to Santa c/o Don Draper from Sally. It starts out with Sally saying she knows Don is Santa but that she thought it was best to keep up the ruse (or "roose") for Bobby. But when it gets to the end of the letter, she says she really just wishes her dad would be there to celebrate with them Christmas morning, even though she knows he can't be. I could hear Don's heart break. But he did get them some awesome gifts, including The Beatles EPs for Sally. Score! The love for Don grew even more when Don quietly said "Merry Christmas, Sweetheart" to Peggy. Such a small gesture, but completely repersentative of their mentor/protege relationship. And while the episode was heavy on the Yuletide moments, it was also full of laughs thanks to the most bizarre Christmas party ever. But still a hit, because Joan Holloway is the greatest woman ever.

COVERT AFFAIRS: Question before we get to the episode- Why is it Burn Notice is in season 4 and still feels the need to do a full exposition before every episode about Michael being a burned spy, but we are only on episode 4 of Covert Affairs and we don't even get a "previously on?" I don't really need the exposition for either show (it annoys the hell out of me on Burn Notice) but I find it funny that USA is very inconsistent with them. Psych: no. Royal Pains: yes. White Collar: no. Choose a format! Anywhoooo...... great episode! I loved the Oded Fehr character of the Israeli spy. Hope they make use of him again. And I like that Annie has apparently learned from previous experiences! Last time she trusted the MI-6 implicitly and he turned out to be a double agent, so she was wary of this guy when things started going wonky. Good girl, Annie! Loved the Langely storyline too. We all knew Auggie wasn't going to be the leak. But who is? Only down note of this episode: no Anne Dudek!

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: This show has it's finale tomorrow. I'm so sad. It is beyond campy, but oh so addictive! And I can't help it, but I'm totally rooting for Ezra and Aria to get back together. It may be wrong, but I don't care. He is hot. HA! Does anyone else like this show? Am I crazy? These questions are not necessarily related.

WHITE COLLAR: Finally- an episode that focused on Mozzie! He is adorable. And as it turns out, very sweet. I loved that he had a crush on the waitress. I loved that somehow Elizabeth knew this. I loved that Mozzie didn't want Neal to meet her because then he would just be the "quirky friend." And I love that Peter worked so hard to help him, because despite all arguments to the contrary, I think Peter and Moz do like each other! It was an all around fun episode. The one thing I don't love - the bizzare green screen stuff for Tiffani Theissen. I have a feeling it has something to do with her maternity leave, but it sucks and I just want her back to normal in her house with Peter and Neal!!

PSYCH: John Michael Higgins is one of the funniest actors around, and his turn on Psych lived up to it. I cracked up so many times during this ep, especially during Shawn's speech at the final meeting at the end of the show. His half arguments with JMH were hysterical. But nothing was as awesome as the random Willy Wonka reference. And for those who didn't catch it the first time around, it was at the end of Shawn's apology letter, "Good Day sir. I said good day!"

MEMPHIS BEAT: This episode was titled "Suspicious Minds" so right at the start I said that if Jason Lee didn't sing that song in this ep, I was going to be pissed. It's one of my favorite Elvis tunes. Thankfully, he did towards the end. But it was a scary 50 minutes before we got there! This episode also started a new storyarc: apparently Dwight's dad was a dirty cop. Poor Dwight. Can't wait to see where that goes.

ROYAL PAINS: Down with Dr. Emily Peck!! I'm done with the character and the storyline. The only good thing to come out of it is that it has forced an actual solid friendship between Jill and Divya. In less annoying relationship news: hurray for Evan and Paige moving into a real relationship not based on Evan being paid.

DARK BLUE: This show is back, and I'm watching even tho last season was ok at best. However it has a lot of people I like (Tre from The OC! Meg from Supernatural! Dylan McDermott's blue eyes!). Although the producers apparently have learned a little something from other shows? How do you take an ok show and make it ten times better? Add Tricia Helfer!! I'm not completely sold on her character, but I think she is amazing, and you can bet I'll be turning in for another week to see how it goes.

BURN NOTICE: Jon Seda!!!!!  That's all.

SYTYCD: Hallelujah, America. You got it right! I can't wait for this finale! I am more excited for this one than any other in a long time! If only Alex was still in it. Of course, that would be Robert probably wouldn't be, but still...... Beyond excited for this week!!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: I didn't care about high school football when I was in high school, but damn if I wasn't crying like a little girl when Landry hit that 45 yard field goal to clinch the East Dillon Lions win over the Dillon Panthers. If you had told me a few years ago that I would ever root against those boys in blue, well I never would have believed you. Jason Katmis is a wonderful showrunner that has proven that even during the toughest times in Dillon, football heals all. They just finished filming the next (and final) season of FNL a couple weeks ago. It isn't airing on NBC until 2012, but I literally can not wait. I just want to see Tim Riggins get out of jail. And for all our old favorites to return for the finale. If you have never watched this show, I beg you, take the next year and check it out before the final season airs. There may be no saving the show, but that doesn't mean the final season can't have great numbers!

Alright, that's it for this week!!

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